Now I've been known to post about "days." Many times I post about these "days '
Yesterday was one of those days that I consider important. It was International Day of the Girl. this has been celebrated for five years now.
Now I have more than just a little interest in this topic.
I was a middle school teacher for my whole 37 year career. I worked with female colleagues from start to finish. I won't say that I soon learned their equal status because I didn't. It took a few years before I appreciated and understood that equality of opportunity was necessary. Over the years I worked on teams, had female team leaders, and had a female vice principal. There were many female principals in the system but they were in the elementary system.
Where am I going with this? It's been difficult and challenging for women to not only compete but to be accepted on an equal basis as men as far as professional competence is concerned.
When I look back on my career, I came up short in advocating for young girls. I found no difficulty to advocate for my female colleagues.
So yesterday I was happy to see a special day with all kinds of information and support that would help young girls and women be able to be accepted with equality.
I have a daughter who has challenged the system and done well. She applied for a position and they really wanted a male. She made a complaint to the teachers' organization.
I'm disappointed that most of the girls that I've been able to follow have landed in positions for women...office work. So some day I hope that women and girls are looked at in the same way as far as work placement and power is concerned.
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| Myrna and an award |
Good for your daughter. Just today I was thinking how different it is today for women in the workplace. There's been much improvement, but there's still more that needs to change. Donald Trump has reminded us what women sometimes face in the work place even today. That needs to change.
ReplyDeleteThere is still far too much bias when it comes to equality of opportunity.
DeleteI guess I just took it for granted that I would be treated equally. As a girl I was a top student, and as an elementary teacher I worked in a woman's world. But I rose to leadership positions, including president of a union, where I worked with men in power positions and I just assumed that I was just as important as any man around.
ReplyDeleteNow I realize that many women in other fields did not have it so easy.
It's also about equality in opportunity. You competed and I'm not surprised to hear this about you. You make the most of opportunities.
Deleteyou are still an advocate for women and girls. :)
ReplyDeleteYou bet. From my time as a young person conditions were just plane bad.
DeleteGrowing up very few women in my neighborhood worked, and many quit to raise their family. I have always seen us as equals through my adult years.My oldest is VP in a company, a position that fits her like a glove.
ReplyDeleteWe may have equal skills but we still need the opportunity and sometimes that's not available to women.
DeleteMy career was as a secretary, and then it became editing and writing for my boss, a man. But that has changed since I was a girl. I'm so glad that there is progress in the right direction and I agree with you, Red. Some improvement, but we need more of it. :-)
ReplyDeletePeople our age lived under completely different conditions. Some areas were just not available for girls.
DeleteHi Red, Congrats to your daughter on doing so well. Wow, this is the first time I realized you taught for 37 years and spent the whole time in Middle School. I only did 20 years and it was in high school. I've always had a lot of respect for Middle School teachers! Be they male or female, it sure takes a lot of dedication to be a Middle School teacher! I sure appreciated your comments here on how our culture needs to change. I'm one who believes in giving everyone an equal opportunity.
ReplyDeleteYou get used to middle school kids and that's normal.
DeleteThere is hope for the future. We are making progress. When you guys know better, you do better!
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence contains a powerful punch. Everybody does better when we have equal opportunities.
DeleteBravo to your daughter!
ReplyDeleteThere are certain things she really goes after.
DeleteMichelle Obama just gave a beautiful speech about her conference on this yesterday. Such a good cause when we are feeling so low in America.
ReplyDeleteIt's good when leaders speak out at a time like this.
DeleteLike you, I worked closely with women all my teaching career. Women are just like men - they're people. You get talented women lazy women, ambitious women just as you get talented men, lazy men, ambitious men. We are equal and I have never felt comfortable with arguments that put men in one camp and women in another. It doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeleteYou're right it doesn't work that way. We all gain when we have equal opportunities.
DeleteI found that men were more highly valued in education simply because there were so few of them. On the other hand, I understood the need for male role models for the boys and welcomed them in the classroom. Sadly, most of them taught for about three years and then moved up into administration or a higher paying job in business with science or math.
ReplyDeleteHooray for women like your daughter who have the courage to affect change and be role models for the girls growing up today.
You're right about men moving to administration. I would like to see that women feel they can apply for admin and be accepted for their ability.
DeleteBravo to your daughter! I've raised my two girls to stand their ground for things they believe in. We still have a long way to go for equality but we are moving forward.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Red, a great post and your daughter is one to be proud of, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou have much to be proud of, Red. Your daughter was great to stand up for herself. America still has a bad record of equal pay for men and women.
ReplyDelete