As the 19th prime minister of Canada, Kim Campbell dealt with many issues of national concern relating to her country. Yet, as the first woman in Canada’s history to serve as prime minister, Campbell had to handle issues concerning her gender as well.

Campbell has participated in major meetings of NATO and the United Nations. She is consul general of Canada in Los Angeles.

She explained that the biggest stereotypes lie in gender comparisons. She made her comments during the Bakersfield Business Conference.

Campbell explained that men are allow to succeed without restriction while successful women must hold a ladylike image at the same time. It is this image that is counterproductive to working women’s goals, she said.

“It’s a Catch-22. Women are punished if they are not feminine,” said Campbell.

Even compliments are not based on equality. She said a woman’s intelligence is often overlooked when she is described as a hard worker. She suggested that when a woman is complimented on her hard work, she should reply, “I’m lazy as hell. Thank God I’m brilliant or I wouldn’t be able to pull it off.”

Campbell also highlighted research done on the hiring habits of people. The research showed that during the hiring of musicians, more women were hired when their identities were concealed from behind a screen. She said that getting this information out in the open is the beginning of a solution to gender stereotypes because people can’t live their lives behind a screen.

She said that she had to overcome her own preconceived notions about women scientists.

Campbell said she took a test on gender stereotyping that showed she thought men made better scientist.

“We start by recognizing we are part of the problem,” said she said.