Karen Hughes, "senior counselor" and member of President George W. Bush's inner circle, was quoted in the New York Post (4/24/02) after announcing she was returning to Texas because her family was homesick: "...I'll be on the phone, on the fax, on the computer," she said, adding it shows how telecommuting means "women as well as men have more options." Hughes, who has been considered one of America's most powerful women as President Bush's closest confidante, said she won't remain a full-time White House staffer. "I don't think that would be appropriate from Texas."

Great! Let's see how it works out. Will there be talk about a woman not being willing and able to take on highest level responsibilities? Will there be stigma, resentment, schedule creep? Will she be added to the pantheon of "Women Who Have Walked Away" shown in the Post article? (Jane Swift, Candice Carpenter, Rosie O'Donnell, Carole Wallace, Oprah Winfrey, Cokie Roberts)

Now if only a man in a similarly powerful position would do the same. Not leave altogether like Robert Reich, but telecommute or cut back a little. We need similar models from the male side.

- Phyllis Weiss Haserot.