As Ms. Ouellette already identified, there are many reasons why women are prevented from going into leadership positions. Definitely there is the question of the time commitment, the question of volunteer fatigue. I know that many of the women on my board sit on several boards, so they have to pick wisely.
I also think it is a financial situation. Statistics bear out that women are paid less, and the amount of time they can spend on these volunteer boards of directors can be affected by what they make, as was already addressed by Ms. Ouellette in looking at the shift of wealth, for sure.
I discovered a wonderful organization, which I mentioned in my speech, called DiverseCity onBoard, which is a project of civic action. They work on mentoring not-for-profit organizations and individuals to prepare them to be on boards. I think there are some wonderful opportunities, for those who feel they're not qualified, to be trained to sit on boards of directors.
Those are some of my ideas on why they may not sit on boards.
I should also mention that there's usually a financial expectation if you sit on a board, an expectation that you would donate to the organization. That can also be a barrier.