Today’s New York Times reports that, due to the recession, “a full 82 percent of the job losses have befallen men, who are heavily represented in distressed industries like manufacturing and construction. Women tend to be employed in areas like education and health care, which are less sensitive to economic ups and downs, and in jobs that allow more time for child care and other domestic work. “

“Given how stark and concentrated the job losses are among men, and that women represented a high proportion of the labor force in the beginning of this recession, women are now bearing the burden — or the opportunity, one could say — of being breadwinners,” says Heather Boushey, a senior economist at the Center for American Progress, in the Times report.

I suggest we women look at it as an opportunity. If there’s anything we’ve learned from the current economic meltdown, it’s that we need to transform business  and make it greener, cleaner, and more personally and professionally rewarding.

Even before the recession, women were starting businesses twice as often as men. As the economy looks to women to help restore financial security, we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to redefine business on our terms. I say, “Go for it!”