The Writing On The Wall by Marilyn Howard 
Summary
This true adventure story from a trailblazing woman will make you laugh at humanity,
provoke your anger at infuriating situations and leave you inspired for life and business.
Uncanny predictions come true, as if written on the wall, and fated to happen.
Marilyn Howard's determination as a child to change the norms of the 1950s and
forge a different path leads to a roller-coaster ride of adventures at an evolutionary
time in the woman's movement. She broke through a glass ceiling of seventy
men at a New York advertising agency to be their first woman art director, but sexism
continued and it was an uphill battle. After two years she left to go skiing in Aspen
and then traveled for a year, 60s style.
The author returns to New York City and in 1970, at age twenty-seven, she founds
an innovative startup company. Creative Freelancers Inc. becomes the first agency
to connect business with freelance artists and writers. The idea thrived for over
twenty-five years in the center of Manhattan despite some sizable legal battles.
The company became the first agency on the Internet in 1997.
The author started her business while single in the city, with weekends at fun group
houses in the Hamptons and Vermont. Having only a two-week MBA summary course,
she learned about business with surprises and fortitude. Marrying in her early thirties
to an older, extroverted man brought three teenage daughters and two children of
her own. The author had it all, but found that can mean sacrifice for women. Time
was precious. Family life with five children and a business vividly captures the
complexity of women during the growth of the woman’s movement and today.
In1983, ADWEEK Magazine of New York profiled the author in a feature called
“The Dynamic Dozen.” She placed first on their list of the top twelve women in
advertising under age forty most likely to succeed, and was the only one with children.
It should have been clear sailing, but the sharks were circling.
The book tells an epic tale about life, love and business women, from family
flapper stories in the 1920s until today's 21st century environment. It's an
engaging account of an eventful life, and a page-turner infused with noteworthy
perspectives. Book clubs will encounter many enjoyable talking points.
"Knocking it out of the park!" - Readers Favorite
See the Kirkus Review
E-book and print: Amazon • BarnesAndNoble.com • IngramSpark
First chapter and TOC free to read online.
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