A Boomer's Footprint

Tag: women

  • Women in the Work Force – still chasing equality

    We looked so good!There are so many instances of inequity for women in the work force. This is a follow up post to women’s long struggle for equality. Overall, my point is we have to keep speaking out and demanding rights which are legally ours.

    Here are just a few comparisons from the 1970’s until now.

    The number of working women has increased dramatically – from 30.3 mil in 1970 to 72.7 mil during 2006-2010.

    Women made up 37.97% of the work force in 1970 compared to 47.21%, between 2006-2010.

    Occupation options: 1970 women mainly worked as secretaries, bookkeepers, nurses and elementary school teachers.  How great for us between 2006-2010 we could proudly add admin assistants, cashiers and middle school teachers to the most common choices. But good news we are also dominating in the fields of HR managers, social workers, dental assistants and speech pathologists.

    Overall, discrepancies in wages and this occupation segregation continues to be the reality. The most recent numbers show that on average, women earn $0.77 for every dollar earned by men. This may not be true for all women and certainly would depend on sectors and occupations.

    Norma Carr-Ruffino, retired Professor SF State University, asks why are we having the same conversation in 2013 that we had back in the 1970’s.

    “ She noted one aspect of this conversation is that women also must face the work-life balance. We won’t stop having this conversation until our cultural understanding of the role of mothers and fathers changes. “I would like to see the culture move to a place where the fathers could be as responsible [as mothers] so it wouldn’t be such an expectation that the mothers have the primary responsibility [for child rearing],” she said.”

    Of course, we are also making some slow inroads in Corporate America and in the political arena.

    (Data from Women in the Work Force: What changes have we made?)

    I don’t even want to get into the recent sexual harassment cases against Bill Cosby, Bill O’Reilly, Roger Ailes, and now Harvey Weinstein. Not to mention the comments recorded by Trump during his campaign.

    These developments should come as no surprise, especially in Hollywood. We’ve heard about the “casting couch” for years and the misuse of power by people for their own personal satisfaction.  Recent report by the Huffington Post – 1 in 3 women has been sexually harassed at work.

    Action Steps – Same as last post:

    -1- tell your story – empower and inspire our children and grandchildren to be their best

    -2- support other women

    -3- If you see something, say something. (This is not just for kids).

    To read more about 1970’s advertising take on women, this article is priceless. Image these ads and stories were being published in magazines and many from the Chicago Tribune:

    http://www.womenworklife.com/2014/07/30/work-life-really-like-women-1970s/

     

  • We burned our bras and other accomplishments from the 70’s

    Yes, we burned bras in protest of inequities for the women’s movement  BUT……

    Why is the STRUGGLE for equality still on going?

    Here are a few notable dates in history – mainly legal actions:

    1866 – 14th Amendment – defined that citizen and voters are MALE.

    1869 – 1st women suffrage law passed in US in state of Wyoming

    1870 – 15th Amendment – Some odd language about discrimination. The text of this amendment says “Women are not specifically excluded from the vote.”  What the H does that mean?

    1890 – Wyoming became the first state to grant women the right to vote in all elections.

    1916 – Margaret Sanger test validity of New York’s anti-contraception law by establishing a clinic in Brooklyn.

    1920 – 19th Amendment – 30 years after Wyoming gave the right to vote to women the feds approved this amendment. It declares: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Clarity of the obtuse language of the 15th amendment?

    1963 – The Equality Pay Act is passed by Congress, promising equitable wages for the same work, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. This one is so big.  We all know that women still do not earn equal pay. Are we forgetting to cite this amendment? Now 54 years later!

    1972 – Title IX – of the Education Amendments prohibits sex discrimination in all aspects of education programs that receive public support.  This main change due to this bill opened the door for more funding for sports programs for women.  Thankfully, Billie Jean King stepped up and championed the rights for girls not only in the sports arena but other areas of equality.  Can’t wait to see the movie – Battle of the Sexes.  Her sports match happened in 1973.

    The list of other significant dates goes on and on.  Below is the link to read more.

    For example, June 1978, was the first time in history, working women age 16 and older surpassed 60% and not just nurses, secretaries or teachers. High powered female executives became common place. We always knew we needed to do better than men, to always prove we had value, to constantly demonstrate that we were as good as or better than male workers.

    What’s my point with this post?  Two things-

    -1- Have women really dropped the ball demanding equality in some instances?  Is it because fighting for justice is not easy?  There are stigmas and often recriminations attached to standing up for what is not only right but is the LAW.

    It is time to step up and reengage in the fight for all women.

    -2- We can do better not only for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren.

    Here are three action steps we can take for women of all ages:

    -1- tell your story – empower and inspire our children and grandchildren to be their best

    -2- support other women

    -3- If you see something, say something. (This is not just for kids).

    I definitely look forward to opinions on this piece.

    This is the source for my dates-

    http://www.nwhp.org/resources/womens-rights-movement/detailed-timeline/