For three days this week I took extra long lunch hours to watch the three-part series “Makers: Women Who Make America” on PBS’ website.
The series detailed the women’s movement beginning in the 1950s.
Those were the days airline stewardesses were terminated on their 32nd birthday; where women, despite their careers during World War II, were downgraded to waitresses or secretaries at war’s end. All the good jobs were returned to men home from war.
I grew up a generation behind the likes of Gloria Steinem, former editor of Ms. Magazine, and Betty Friedan, author of the “Feminine Mystique,” — talented women who were sidelined because of their sex.
Many women, freed by the technology of washing machines and vacuum sweepers, felt a deep sense of malaise. It was not enough to be married with children. They, too, had talents, but were stymied by a society that said their place was in the home.
Steinem’s attempts at serious journalism at the New York Times were time and again dismissed. When the paper refused to let her cover a worker’s discrimination case, she left the prestigious paper to begin her magazine with cohort Letty Pogregin.
The magazine took on like wildfire.
“I found whenever one person takes the initiative to stand up for an issue, it helps other people do the same,” Steinem said.
Thanks to Ms. Magazine many women read their way into feminism.
I WAS 17 when Gloria was 38. It was the heyday of the women’s movement with demonstrations overtaking New York City’s Fifth Avenue, the shedding of girdles, the burning of bras and sit-ins protesting discrimination.
When I was in high school Title IX was passed, forcing schools not only to adopt sports programs for girls, but also universities to open wide their law, medical and engineering schools to females.
For much of my youth I dreamed of being an airline stewardess if only as a way to see the world. It wasn’t until my grandmother scoffed, “they’re nothing but glorified waitresses,” that I realized perhaps I held more potential.
By the time I left college I was prepared for a career and enjoyed working until I opted to stay home with my infant children.
It wasn’t until 10 years later, 1984, when Geraldine Ferraro was the Democratic nominee for vice-president, that I started to emerge from my cocoon.
“The issue is not what America can do for women, but what women can do for America,” Ferraro said.
In that one sentence Ferraro turned the tables and by example empowered women to become real players in a man’s world.
I went back to school for an advanced degree, which increased my earning power.
TODAY, my daughter Louise, 30, takes for granted the inroads paved by women’s libbers. She’s never thought twice about her gender limiting her career options.
That said, women still earn 77 cents to a man’s dollar in some fields.
Reintroduced this year by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Sen. Barbara Mikulski- D-Md., is the Paycheck Fairness Act which strengthens arguments against pay discrimination for women.
For the past eight years, the two women have brought the legislation before their predominately male peers only to face defeat year after year.
It’s a sign of progress that today’s young women can start from where previous generations paved the way, lawsuit by lawsuit, demonstration by demonstration, legislation by legislation.
How nice it will be when one day the topic of women’s equality will be but a discussion for history books.
Only continued action will make that dream come true.
Susan Lynn
