The glass ceiling appears to have a few more cracks in it, especially in the world of foreign affairs. A recent article in The Washington Post (Jan. 11, 2010) focused on the growing number of females in the highest ranks of global diplomacy — from Latin America’s only female ambassador (Colombia’s Carolina Barco) to Oman’s ambassador to the US (Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy), who is the first woman from a Muslim nation to serve this function.

Although women in diplomatic circles are still a minority group, the newspaper points out that there are now 25 female ambassadors in Washington, the highest number ever, citing the high level of visibility of leadership role models such as Hillary Clinton. Because of Clinton’s role in women’s rights issues internationally, other nations are finding it easier (and possibly wiser) to appoint more women to diplomatic roles in their dealings with Washington.

The role of women is changing in circles outside Washington as well. Nyman Group’s piece on coaching for women in traditionally conservative law firms may be of interest to you.