Wow, I had no idea that women couldn't get credit cards without a father's/husband's/brother's approval until the 1970s. I guess it's not surprising, but I'm thinking about how my mom was already in her mid-20's and probably couldn't get a credit card at all. So strange to think about.
That's why knowing history is so important. It's IN OUR ADULT LIFETIMES that women couldn't get credit cards, a full range of health care (yes, I mean abortions included), received job applications on pink paper, were ogled up and down by co-workers, received 30%-50% less pay for equivalent work, and were denied career mobility because "everyone knows that women just get married, have babies and follow their husband's careers" - (Jack Welch to new high potential GE employees, April 1984) - and wore high heels and pantyhose to work (after we graduated form garters and stockings). Some of us are still working, still contributing, still paving the way for the women who come after us - and, unfortunately, still plowing ahead for ourselves.
I loved reading this. I worked at an all-girl (now girl and non-binary) summer camp through my 20s, and it was a revelation. Women running everything! Women femme and brash and quiet and farty and delicate and pissed and loving! Girls chopping trees! Girls talking about politics! Girls doing skits about Reese Witherspoon and Leo DiCaprio (it was the late 90s early 2000s)! It’s no wonder I stayed longer than it made sense to work at a summer camp.
OH i love this!!! Yes, it's such a special experience. Actually, when I went to my tour at Smith, I remember thinking "This place is just like Girl Scout Camp!!!"
Hi Maggie, Congratulations on your book! Just a note about Smith's tradition of grads and alums
wearing white in the Ivy Day parade -- "(yes, weird, bridal/virginal vibes, I’m sure intentional),." I believe the tradition is rooted in the suffragette parades and that the wearing of white is a political statement abotu women's rights that persists to this day. (You may have noticed that a number of Congresswomen wore white to the most recent State of the Union address.)
Wow, I had no idea that women couldn't get credit cards without a father's/husband's/brother's approval until the 1970s. I guess it's not surprising, but I'm thinking about how my mom was already in her mid-20's and probably couldn't get a credit card at all. So strange to think about.
Pretty wild right? I had a conversation with my mom recently about when she got her first credit card. Very weird.
Also, congratulations on your book!
That's why knowing history is so important. It's IN OUR ADULT LIFETIMES that women couldn't get credit cards, a full range of health care (yes, I mean abortions included), received job applications on pink paper, were ogled up and down by co-workers, received 30%-50% less pay for equivalent work, and were denied career mobility because "everyone knows that women just get married, have babies and follow their husband's careers" - (Jack Welch to new high potential GE employees, April 1984) - and wore high heels and pantyhose to work (after we graduated form garters and stockings). Some of us are still working, still contributing, still paving the way for the women who come after us - and, unfortunately, still plowing ahead for ourselves.
So cool about your reunion, and so exciting about your book!!!!
Thank you Kelcey!!
I loved reading this. I worked at an all-girl (now girl and non-binary) summer camp through my 20s, and it was a revelation. Women running everything! Women femme and brash and quiet and farty and delicate and pissed and loving! Girls chopping trees! Girls talking about politics! Girls doing skits about Reese Witherspoon and Leo DiCaprio (it was the late 90s early 2000s)! It’s no wonder I stayed longer than it made sense to work at a summer camp.
OH i love this!!! Yes, it's such a special experience. Actually, when I went to my tour at Smith, I remember thinking "This place is just like Girl Scout Camp!!!"
Hi Maggie, Congratulations on your book! Just a note about Smith's tradition of grads and alums
wearing white in the Ivy Day parade -- "(yes, weird, bridal/virginal vibes, I’m sure intentional),." I believe the tradition is rooted in the suffragette parades and that the wearing of white is a political statement abotu women's rights that persists to this day. (You may have noticed that a number of Congresswomen wore white to the most recent State of the Union address.)