bizMe

If there’s one thing Danica McKellar can prove to a bizGal, it’s this: a woman can be smart and sexy — and you don’t have to choose between the two. The actress (and object of many a schoolboy crush) is most famous for her role as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years. But she’s also a three-time New York Times bestselling author, soon-to-be mom and honored mathematician . . . who happens to be featured in Maxim magazine’s 2010 Hot 100 issue.

No math nerd here. For Danica, it’s all about busting down those societal stereotypes that limit a woman’s possibilities. Her latest book project, Hot X: Algebra Exposed! helps girls conquer their fears of math, empowering them to be anything and everything they want to be. We recently had a chance to chat with the “thinking girl’s role model” about the book . . . and balancing it all.

bizMe: Hot X: Algebra Exposed! tackles the most feared of all math classes. Sexy can be defined a lot of different ways, but what is so “hot” about polynomials and quadratic equations?

Danica: Besides the fact that knowing math helps us gals find the best sales while shopping, studying math is like going to the gym for your brain; it makes you smarter and gives you the confidence from feeling smart. That kind of confidence is a wonderful gift that girls and women can give themselves. The book is geared for 13-15 year olds because that’s mostly who’s studying algebra, but the skills I teach in the book are helpful for young women of all ages. They’ll feel capable, self-assured, and strong. And that’s sexy.

bizMe: You’ve said one of your main authoring messages is to promote “smart as sexy.” How did that become an important mantra for you?

Danica: Girls are inundated with messages from billboards, magazines, reality TV and more, telling them that they will be valued for their beauty and not much else. And with these damaging stereotypes all around them, girls grow up believing that in order to be fit and fabulous, they need to be ditzy—or worse—sluts!

So girls end up dumbing themselves down because they think that’s the only way to be like all those women they admire from TV. But the opposite is true: The smarter you are, the better life decisions you will make, and the more confident and happy you will be, which enables you to better fulfill your dreams, whatever they might be. I love empowering girls with my books by teaching them how to be both smart and fabulous!

bizMe: In writing your three best-selling math books (Congratulations!), you’ve done a lot of research asking girls how they feel about being smart. What did you discover?

Danica: What was most amazing to me was how girls answered the question: “What do you think of smart girls, and what do you think of dumb girls?” I conducted this particular survey while writing my first book, Math Doesn’t Suck. Almost all the girls said the same thing: “There’s no such thing as dumb girls; they’re just pretending to be dumb.” This blew me away; I mean, these were 12-year-olds! It made me that much more dedicated to show girls that they don’t have to dumb themselves down.

In my second book, Kiss My Math, I dedicate a whole section to us gals not dumbing ourselves down for guys, and it required me to really do some soul searching. Why are we so legitimately tempted to do this sometimes? What can we do instead, to achieve the same result of guys feeling smart around us, without short-changing ourselves? I’ve had so many emails from young women thanking me for that discussion; it’s just so important for all of us, and it’s a dangerous temptation that continues for most of us women through adulthood.

bizMe: You are a summa cum laude graduate of UCLA and the co-author of a groundbreaking mathematical theorem (The Chayes-McKellar-Winn Theorem). Were there any moments in your own life where you felt pressure to play down your intelligence?

Danica: I never felt pressure to play down my intelligence, but I did encounter more than a few people who assumed I wouldn’t be smart because I didn’t look the part. In the ninth grade, my science teacher expressed surprise at my high score on our first test, saying I seemed more like a “C” student. When I asked why, the teacher responded, “I don’t know, you just seem so outgoing and wear such big earrings.” It really fired me up. I thought, “I’ll show her!” Yes, the teacher was a woman.

bizMe: In Hot X you talk about why it’s important to break down the destructive, pigeonholing stereotypes we create for ourselves. What advice would you give to a recent college grad on how to show the world she’s smart, she’s savvy and she’s got it all together?

Danica: Remember how important it is to keep working on the entire package. Keep improving yourself, and put your best foot forward. Most people in this world are reluctant to really work hard, so when you do, you’ll stand out. And remember, when you’re interviewing for a job, that new boss will size you up in about 10 seconds, so confidence and a smile to match your new outfit is a must! How do you get confidence? From actually being prepared for that interview. Research the person interviewing you, research the company, and know that what have to offer them. Go get ’em, sister!

bizMe: What’s the key to balancing your fun-glamorous-girly side with your successful-math whiz-girl empowering side?

Danica: For me, it’s about embracing the “me” that best suits the occasion. When I’m writing my books, I don’t wear makeup and high heels, but I sure do when I’m out at a book signing or on an acting job! It’s really fun to go back and forth between the discipline of writing math books to the glamour of acting and celebration of promoting my books.

bizMe: In addition to acting, writing and solving complex equations, what other hobbies, issues or causes get you excited?

Danica: There are so many causes I care about: the environment, children’s welfare, and more. I spend most of my time focused on the cause of education though, because I know I can really contribute in a unique way.

In terms of hobbies, I love yoga; it’s my favorite way to exercise. In fact, I like yoga so much that my mom and I created a yoga/meditation DVD called Daily Dose of Dharma. Yoga and meditation really help to center my body and mind in the midst of what can be a really busy schedule! It’s truly a lifesaver for a multi-tasking gal like me.

See everything Danica’s up to at www.danicamckellar.com.

Find out if Corporate America is ready for the smart and sexy bizgal in our bizclass article!