Nordic Life Science 1
Despite a lot going on in Stockholm, Barbro had a
strong dream to go to America, something that had been reinforced during her economics studies. When she was 23 years old she received a scholarship and an opportunity to spend three months in New York. She went on sabbatical from her PhD studies at the Institute for Research but when she arrived over there it was love at first sight. When she got a job offer as a product manager, one of the first females in a position like that, at the pharmaceutical company Richardson Vick (today Procter & Gamble), it became clear that she was there to stay. “It was, again, serendipity that I started working in the pharmaceutical industry,” says Barbro. “But it is also something I am very happy about.” A few years later a job offer, from an even more maledominated industry, came along. She started working as one of the first female executive analysts on Wall Street. “I stood out with my red hair and my Swedish accent, but I was ambitious and persistent,” describes Barbro. But she also experienced her share of the inequalities in the US. One time her boss took her out to see an adult movie during lunch and when she got nominated as one of the top three best financial analysts in America by the magazine Institutional Investor they wanted her to pose in a bikini on the cover. “Swedish girls had a certain reputation during the 70’s,” Barbro says. “It is different today. When Americans hear Sweden now they think about quality, Volvo, tech, and beautiful girls still, but also honesty and perhaps a little bit boring.” ust like in Stockholm, Barbro worked hard during the daytime and partied during the evenings. She was a regular at Studio 54, made valuable contacts at Club 21, and she spent time with celebrities in what she describes as, “A mix of great people in a time period that in a way felt more safe than today – no AIDS and no terror attacks.” Being a Swedish girl also opened many doors. Barbro arranged renowned parties and Andy Warhol dropped by, but also emancipists such as Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan, whose commitment to the right to free abortion Barbro shared. Even today, US politics engages her, and especially gun control, she says. “It is incredible what kind of power the NRA [the National Rifle Association] has. In other countries, like New Zealand, laws can be changed quickly, but not here,” she says despondently. Barbro is a Democrat and supports for example the US Congress woman Diana DeGette, who has dedicated her career to for example protect the environment and expand access to healthcare. NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG 43