Standing at the bottom and looking up at whatever career path you are entering, I hope you find out quickly that nuturing is not something that you just do with children and loved ones. Women are successful in careers because they build their support team as they go along. Successful women and successful men are no different - they both build those strong support systems, fostering the careers of those that are driven to succeed in similiar fashion. Those CEO's you mention - they built a support system of successful men and women along the way. That TV mentality where women appear as the caregiver - put forth by men who want to maintain the "second best" mentality. No successful woman - or man for that matter - can be compliant, nor can they be an absolute warrior. The succesful people - again women and men - are the consensus builders, strong leaders and decision makers. You are very much the TYPICAL career female in the business world if you make solid decisions based on strong and consistent views and a strong understanding of your own worth. Do not assume that only the minority of women act in this manner. My experience with women leaders is that they will finish the task, the project, the battle and be invited to the next war. Only those at the bottom of the career path would belive that the sterotypes about women haven't been seriously eroded. Just because your career is just beginning and success has not yet arrived, do not assume that others aren't enjoying success fully. The female leader is alive and well.