The political conventions are filled with speeches of the American Dream. Male and female speakers from all backgrounds present their vision of the American Dream.
As I listen I realize that perhaps the American Dream cannot be defined as easily as it once could.
As someone who grew up in the 1950s, I lived the American Dream. I had a beautiful house in a safe neighborhood, two cars, a school within walking distance, a couple of dogs, a stay-at-home Mom, and an entrepreneurial Dad who from my point of view made enough money to give us whatever we needed. 
Isn't it funny how easy it is to depict the American Dream of the 1950s? (how else would you describe this picture?)
But I grew up and my ideas of what I wanted for my own life changed. The American Dream of a happy family was certainly an integral part of that concept but I, like many women of my generation had other plans for myself.
My dreams were based on the beliefs and continued encouragement from my parents that I could be anything I wanted to be.
When a woman is brought up with that motivation the sky is the limit! It meant my opportunities were limitless. I could get an education, have whatever career I wanted, get married, have children, and participate as an equal member of the human race.
I started my race as an entrepreneurial woman to the American Dream with my sister at my side running the only business I knew how to succeed in at age 5. 
The definition of success was being able to try a variety of things without being forced to identify myself with just one. I went on from running lemonade stands to holding backyard carnivals to operating a babysitting coop to working for my brother's newspaper. Anything and everything was possible as the 1970s definition of the American Dream and success was all about opportunity.
The 1980s ushered in a new concept for the American Dream and many people's idea of success. Material things became a way to demonstrate that you had made it. Houses grew bigger as families got smaller. Success was measured by how much money you had, or better said, how much money you spent! The dream wasn't enough, Americans wanted what they wanted NOW, and they wanted it bigger and spent more regardless of their means.
As a woman in business, I witnessed women's success being defined by others with awards and community recognition. 
The 1990s brought a wave of honoring women for their business accomplishments. Although generations of women had always worked, most labored behind the scenes. Women in business were brought to the forefront as encouragement for the next generation of women leaders.
I proudly racked up many of my own awards during this time and on into the 21st century. But, as wonderful as being acknowledged for your efforts are publicly is, more important is the acceptance of self as a successful human being, wife, mother, boss, community partner and leader.
The American Dream for women in business means more than being recognized by her peers as a successful business person. It means that the doors to opportunity for her and her family (whatever this term means to you) remain open and that her dreams continue to be limitless.
The true American Dream is all about freedom and opportunity for success. It isn't about money or material things. Women in business, like men in business, desire to build a life that is better than that from which they came and that offers greater prosperity for all those they work with and for.
When asked, do I think women define success differently than men? I answer, it isn't how we define success that matters it's what we do with it that counts!
The idea that the American Dream and success are one is the issue. Dreams are what we continue to reach for. Success happens along the way as we seek our dreams. Every journey has bumps in the road and although success may alude us from time to time the American Dream must always be our destination.
As a serial entrepreneur, now business and health coach, I believe we owe it to the next generation of American women and men, in business and everywhere, to ensure the image of the American Dream. It probably won't look like mine of the 1950s or 1980s or even 2000, but it must represent the best our country has to offer -- freedom to be whatever you dream - anything is possible. The road to the American Dream is there for all of us. Now get started with making your dreams come true.
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