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THE GLASS CEILING LIVES

Pay equity is elusive

Through its Aug. 13 article "Young women are winning battle of the pay gap," the Star Tribune fuels the popular myth that women have "made it" economically and sets up a win-lose gender pay battle.

We're thrilled that college-educated women in their twenties in urban markets -- Minneapolis is one of them -- are achieving pay equity with men or better.

But the larger reality is much different. Because while the young woman interviewed doesn't see the glass ceiling, that ceiling continues to shortchange the leadership and economic potential of women.

According to the American Association of University Women's national report, "Behind the Pay Gap," at one year out of college, women working full time earn 80 percent as much as their male colleagues earn. And 10 years after graduation, the number drops to 69 percent.

We are pleased that the article upheld young women's big dreams and optimism. We hold those, too. We, too, want women -- and men -- to have it all. We're certainly on the road to equality, but we are not there yet.

LEE ROPER-BATKER, MINNEAPOLIS;

CEO/PRESIDENT,

WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA

ST. PAUL'S BUDGET

Time for real leadership

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has the wrong idea of what leadership means. He follows the same old tired script that calls for an inner-city Democrat to throw sand at suburban Republicans, then demand money.

Leadership is writing your own script. For example, Coleman should look at giving up power to the state in exchange for local government aid. For instance, both the state Department of Human Rights and the attorney general's office handle human-rights complaints. By allowing the state to handle complaints, the city could save money. But to do so would require the mayor not to pander to certain racial groups.

Leadership would be allowing for greater control of plowing services by Ramsey County. However, that would mean challenging the public-employees union that helped finance Coleman's campaign.

JIM FARRELL, MAPLEWOOD

ROVE RESIGNS

A medal in his future?