To think this doesn't help women to be taken seriously in the workplace?

[Tryingtochangeitall]

I attended a conference last week where there were a number of speakers.

The only woman as part of her speech referenced her important roles outside of work as a wife and mother

None of the men said anything remotely similar.

I didn't need to know that. It doesn't make her better at her job and I just found someone successful and clearly good at their day job referring to themselves as a wife rather demeaning. It would have been slightly better had she perhaps referenced a supportive husband and family, albeit still irrelevant.

I feel it plays up to the idea that women aren't as work focused and professional as men.

"The conference wasn't about how to combine work and family. It was business performance and growth. "

This. Its strange to reference work and family when that isnt the topic of the presentation. Its also a bit disrespectful of your audience - presumably that is not what they have paid to hear the woman speak about.

There is a time and place to discuss things and most senior people have the EQ to figure that out. It all sounds a bit tone deaf.

That is great

The woman who talked about her children reflects badly on all women
The man who talks about his children reflects badly on all parents

Just listen to yourself OP!

So women who are also parents are doubleungood which is just about in accord with what society says so hooray