Still the role models presented to young girls and women through fictional or historical characters are more often than not those who come to a bad end if they are not self-sacrificing, or are rewarded (with the man, usually) if they do put their own aspirations aside.

FORBES: The World's Women Billionaires

Market lore has it that big gains in bonds and stocks tend to come after a bout of bad news and seem to end after good news, said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial's annuities division.

FORBES: U.S. Market