I once (35 years ago) received an almost 30% raise, retroactive 6 months, when I discovered what a male coworker was making and confronted my boss about it. Damage control, to prevent a lawsuit for discrimination. The pay gap is real. When I first started working in 1983, I thought the work was done for women’s equality. It didn’t take long for my naïve thinking to disappear.
I once (35 years ago) received an almost 30% raise, retroactive 6 months, when I discovered what a male coworker was making and confronted my boss about it. Damage control, to prevent a lawsuit for discrimination. The pay gap is real. When I first started working in 1983, I thought the work was done for women’s equality. It didn’t take long for my naïve thinking to disappear.
My first real job after finishing grad school in 1981 paid me $11,000/yr! I got a few raises and was earning $15k when I left. People accused me of having not "earned" the raise. After that I found the only way I could really increase my earnings was to change jobs every few years...because 3% of nothing looks like nothing. Finally after nearly 20 yrs of experience a man was hired over me that didn't know how to do his job and was paid twice what I was being paid. I moved on and was able to establish myself by finding a world in freelance where they paid you what you were worth to them regardless of whether you are male or female. Yet there were still times I had to roll my eyes at what I saw happening to women and minorities.
I was so angry. I didn’t even stop to think, just stormed into my boss’s office, demanding to know if my assessment of my value to the firm was flawed, or if they were discriminating against me because I was a woman, young, and single. “Let me get back to you” and 15 minutes later a huge raise. Hmmmmm. I guess I’m still angry about it. I’d had three promotions in five years, and produced more than anyone else at my level. Sigh. At 25, I was the highest ranking woman in the firm. So no role models, although I absolutely had wonderful mentors. And I loved my job and my coworkers. It was the best job I ever had.
Thank you, Ashley. This is one of the (huge) reasons why I love Hilary Clinton. At a decade and a half older than I am, it was much worse for her. And look what she achieved!
I once (35 years ago) received an almost 30% raise, retroactive 6 months, when I discovered what a male coworker was making and confronted my boss about it. Damage control, to prevent a lawsuit for discrimination. The pay gap is real. When I first started working in 1983, I thought the work was done for women’s equality. It didn’t take long for my naïve thinking to disappear.
My first real job after finishing grad school in 1981 paid me $11,000/yr! I got a few raises and was earning $15k when I left. People accused me of having not "earned" the raise. After that I found the only way I could really increase my earnings was to change jobs every few years...because 3% of nothing looks like nothing. Finally after nearly 20 yrs of experience a man was hired over me that didn't know how to do his job and was paid twice what I was being paid. I moved on and was able to establish myself by finding a world in freelance where they paid you what you were worth to them regardless of whether you are male or female. Yet there were still times I had to roll my eyes at what I saw happening to women and minorities.
Dr. Fiona Hill experienced the same thing. It's appalling.
I was so angry. I didn’t even stop to think, just stormed into my boss’s office, demanding to know if my assessment of my value to the firm was flawed, or if they were discriminating against me because I was a woman, young, and single. “Let me get back to you” and 15 minutes later a huge raise. Hmmmmm. I guess I’m still angry about it. I’d had three promotions in five years, and produced more than anyone else at my level. Sigh. At 25, I was the highest ranking woman in the firm. So no role models, although I absolutely had wonderful mentors. And I loved my job and my coworkers. It was the best job I ever had.
Kathy, Martha, Maia, Cathy, Sharon, and Spooky:
A world of thanks to you strong women who have ceaselessly fought the good fight for and with us 💙💙💙💙💙💙!
Thank you, Ashley. This is one of the (huge) reasons why I love Hilary Clinton. At a decade and a half older than I am, it was much worse for her. And look what she achieved!
Me too!!