For Women Who Are Unapologetically Ambitious and Fiercely Informed

I was in a session with an executive coaching client today and she said a female mentor of hers said to her "You only follow the rules when they work in your favor".  Fucking brilliant. And could not be better timing for today's interview - it's a doozy!!!  Julianna Glasse found that out the hard way what happens when those rules aren't meant for you. Once a Christian pop artist living deep inside the conservative evangelical world, taught that her role in life was to serve her husband - she started reading books. And from this simple act, which many of us take for granted (although less and less) she was forced out of her community and her faith, simply for reading books. What was framed as rebellion was really liberation and she did what any powerful woman does - she turned that exile into power. Today, Julianna is the founder of This Is What Happens When Women Read, a global community that transforms silence into voice and shame into connection.

In this episode, Julianna and I unpack the fallout of walking away from a belief system built to keep women small, the price you pay for telling the truth, and why literature is one of the most dangerous - and empowering - tools we’ve got.

This isn’t just her story. It’s a reminder that every time women dare to think, question, or read beyond the lines, we don’t just break rules, we rewrite them in our favor.

With Love & Lady Business,
JJ

In today’s edition:
— Refusing the System with Julianna Glasse
— Three Things to Know About Arbitration Clauses
— It’s Official - Progress for Women is Reversing

“Because we all know what happens when women read, everything changes.”

Key Takeaways:
 — Women who refuse silence change everything
— Autonomy is non-negotiable
— Systems built on control crumble when women rise
— Oppression wears many faces
— When one woman rises, she gives others the courage to do the same

Three Things to Know About Arbitration Clauses

Speaking of keeping women silent, I have been getting a lot of questions about arbitration clauses, which have gotten a lot of airtime thanks to TJD client Gretchen Carlson! So here you go - Three Things to Know About Arbitration Clauses

1. They’re designed to keep you quiet.
Arbitration sounds like a good thing as a cheaper and faster way to resolve disputes.  But as in most things, read between the lines because what it really means is you can’t take your case to court for public transparency. That’s good for the company, bad for you. It keeps cases out of the public record and stops patterns of abuse or discrimination from ever seeing the light of day.

2. The deck is stacked.
Unlike a jury of your peers, arbitration puts your fate in the hands of a private arbitrator often chosen from a pool the company uses over and over again. Who do you think they’re more likely to favor? Spoiler alert: not you.

3. You might be signing one without realizing it.
Arbitration clauses are buried everywhere, which is why it's important to hire people to review agreements. They are in offer letters, separation agreements, consulting contracts, even vendor deals. You have to read the fine print and push back when you see one. Because once you sign, you’ve given away your right to sue in court.

The good news? Women are fighting back. Thanks to the work of Gretchen and others, new laws now ban forced arbitration nationwide in cases of sexual harassment and assault. It’s a huge step, but it doesn’t cover every kind of discrimination, so you still have to watch for these clauses in your contracts.

Bottom line: arbitration clauses aren’t “standard,” they’re a strategy. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

It’s Official - Progress for Women is Reversing

Gender pay gap just got wider in 2024 AGAIN. This is going to stop - not on our watch. DEI programs may be going away, and we can't change patriarchal norms overnight, but we can change how we react to it. Join us! 

Lady Bits:

🎙️: Judge Judy on Good Hang with Amy Poehler

👀: Barbara Liskov invented how computers talk to each other. Ever heard of her? Of course not

👏: Sabalenka Defends US Open Crown 

🎧: Rozzi - Fig Tree & see the exhibition at KI Smith Gallery

💰:  How Gen Z Women Can Negotiate Their First Job Offer

🤖: Daydream, female-founded AI fashion startup, has raised $50M in seed funding

Hi, I’m JJ.

Since starting the Justice Dept, we have increased women's wealth by over $100MM in just over 5 years. Want to know what inspires me to do this work, other than making women money? My clients' surprised reaction when we manage to get them much better terms for themselves and their companies, whether via talent agreements, employment, severance, partnerships, asset sales or investments. They often admit that they never thought they could get that result. Not even hoped. This blows my mind. As we know at The Justice Dept. you are all worth everything you ask for and more. Reach out and we’ll show you how!
x TJD

“Taking Care of Lady Busine$$” sponsor!  Medjet, the top-rated air medical transport and security response membership for travelers. If you’re hospitalized or your safety is threatened while traveling, they can get you moved home…if you’re a member.