Important challenges for women in American society are discussed, based on the experiences and perceptions of Reatha Clark King, president of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. She suggests that learning to be effective in the community is a priority in order to reach greater progress in womens' advancement, since most of the key decisions affecting the fate of universities are made in an untame external environment. One strategy employed at Metropolitan State is to use a group of faculty and other staff to visit legislators to explain university affairs and financial needs. The following additional challenges are addressed: learning how to function beyond the shadow of men, once women are appointed or elected to policy-level positions; helping to further eradicate the systemic prejudices toward women; achieving greater economic power, (i.e., securing women's political power with greater economic power); and coping with stress, its causes, consequences, and cures. It is also suggested that dealing with the consequences of deeply felt doubts about the legitimacy of the new roles for women is one major challenge for the future. Instances are cited in which the media used labels to ridicule women political leaders. (SW)