While one cannot take things out of the context of their time; the gender chasm has been around for a long time. This makes me realize that I personally did this all backwards. Professional musician first, then after marrying an engineer went into engineering and broke the glass ceiling becoming a senior executive/group engineering man…
While one cannot take things out of the context of their time; the gender chasm has been around for a long time. This makes me realize that I personally did this all backwards. Professional musician first, then after marrying an engineer went into engineering and broke the glass ceiling becoming a senior executive/group engineering manager in a Fortune 100 technology corporation and now in semi-retirement have my own sole proprietor home design business in rural Texas. Women only went to college to get their MRS degree in the late sixties and could only become nurses or teachers! Women made $.59 to a man's $1.00 of earning when I started my corporate career although I received a man's wage as an engineer. And, now as a home designer I find being a woman who knows how to cook and sew an asset in the design process and I design accessible homes that promote the harmony of the family.
I invariably return to words spoken by the wonderful preacher and suffragette, Sojourner Truth, over a century ago:
"Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them."
I like the Suffragist song "She's Good Enough to be your Baby's Mother and She's Good Enough to Vote with You" Another Suffragist ad I enjoy is the reply to the objection to womens' suffrage: "Women are too pure for the Dirty Pool of Politics" -- answer: "If the Pool is Dirty it is time to clean it. Women have had Long Experience Cleaning up after Men."
If I had been a boy, I would have gone directly into engineering and probably minored in music like my dad. I was always meant to be an engineer. A photo of me at 5 years old all dressed up in my new Easter outfit ready to go to church shows tools in my belt. I definitely had an engineer's mind. In fact, for many years I thought of myself as having a man's mind trapped in a woman's body. Got over that...
Part of it was being at a highly ethical company where we lived the mottos of "Do the Right Thing" and "Value Differences" Large corporations can be highly ethical; it isn't the size of the corporation, it's the leadership that matters. We knew we were changing the world and we did. Together. I think part of breaking the glass ceiling is doing one's current job well, working well as part of a team and always being viewed as having even more potential. Then you must be prepared to seize the opportunities when they are presented to you.
You were in a good, ethical company. It doesn't happen that easily. I've watched the disappointments time and time again -- even with the top women. Potential is key, but it isn't always allowed to hit that ceiling. Mind you, thing are far better than they were and our young women are strong, intelligent, and raring to go out in the world -- as soon as covid allows for new venture s and achievements.
Now That made me laugh! Also the LITTLE man in black.. Her words are far more than enlightening - and so was she. Imagine the abuse she took! And yet did not bow down to anyone, from everything I have ever read about her.
When I was first married our weekends were spent going to open houses of new construction. I laughed at where the built in cutting boards were placed because you knew whoever designed it hadn't cooked. Usually they were over the drawer holding utensils needed for cooking.
Good for you! You are a credit to professionals who design for a specific segment. I see the design “flaws” in my own kitchen, & humorously day to myself, “Had to be a man that designed this!” 😎
While one cannot take things out of the context of their time; the gender chasm has been around for a long time. This makes me realize that I personally did this all backwards. Professional musician first, then after marrying an engineer went into engineering and broke the glass ceiling becoming a senior executive/group engineering manager in a Fortune 100 technology corporation and now in semi-retirement have my own sole proprietor home design business in rural Texas. Women only went to college to get their MRS degree in the late sixties and could only become nurses or teachers! Women made $.59 to a man's $1.00 of earning when I started my corporate career although I received a man's wage as an engineer. And, now as a home designer I find being a woman who knows how to cook and sew an asset in the design process and I design accessible homes that promote the harmony of the family.
Brava, Cathy Learoyd! That was some about-turn!!!
I invariably return to words spoken by the wonderful preacher and suffragette, Sojourner Truth, over a century ago:
"Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them."
I like the Suffragist song "She's Good Enough to be your Baby's Mother and She's Good Enough to Vote with You" Another Suffragist ad I enjoy is the reply to the objection to womens' suffrage: "Women are too pure for the Dirty Pool of Politics" -- answer: "If the Pool is Dirty it is time to clean it. Women have had Long Experience Cleaning up after Men."
Yes, that's a great song, but I hadn't seen the ad! I love it! Thanks for that!
If I had been a boy, I would have gone directly into engineering and probably minored in music like my dad. I was always meant to be an engineer. A photo of me at 5 years old all dressed up in my new Easter outfit ready to go to church shows tools in my belt. I definitely had an engineer's mind. In fact, for many years I thought of myself as having a man's mind trapped in a woman's body. Got over that...
So glad that you had the will to reach for the stars and that glass ceiling ❣️
Part of it was being at a highly ethical company where we lived the mottos of "Do the Right Thing" and "Value Differences" Large corporations can be highly ethical; it isn't the size of the corporation, it's the leadership that matters. We knew we were changing the world and we did. Together. I think part of breaking the glass ceiling is doing one's current job well, working well as part of a team and always being viewed as having even more potential. Then you must be prepared to seize the opportunities when they are presented to you.
You were in a good, ethical company. It doesn't happen that easily. I've watched the disappointments time and time again -- even with the top women. Potential is key, but it isn't always allowed to hit that ceiling. Mind you, thing are far better than they were and our young women are strong, intelligent, and raring to go out in the world -- as soon as covid allows for new venture s and achievements.
Now That made me laugh! Also the LITTLE man in black.. Her words are far more than enlightening - and so was she. Imagine the abuse she took! And yet did not bow down to anyone, from everything I have ever read about her.
Agreed!! I wish I could have met her!
When I was first married our weekends were spent going to open houses of new construction. I laughed at where the built in cutting boards were placed because you knew whoever designed it hadn't cooked. Usually they were over the drawer holding utensils needed for cooking.
Good for you! You are a credit to professionals who design for a specific segment. I see the design “flaws” in my own kitchen, & humorously day to myself, “Had to be a man that designed this!” 😎