A brief look at the evolution of women in the workplace

We can do it? Darn right. Take a look at the then, later and now of working women in America.

THEN
Seems women of the 1940s were thought to be a tad temperamental — except for those dependable “husky” girls. Below is a we-promise-this-is-real “Guide to Hiring Women” from the 1943 issue of Transportation magazine.

11 Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees

There’s no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage. Here are 11 helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they’re less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn’t be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.

2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It’s always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3. General experience indicates that “husky” girls — those who are just a little on the heavy side — are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination — one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

5. Stress at the outset the importance of time — the fact that a minute or two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.

6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they’ll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say the women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work themselves.

7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.

8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can’t shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a woman — it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.

10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girl’s husband or father may swear vociferously, she’ll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.

11. Get enough size variety in operator’s uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can’t be stressed too much in keeping women happy.

LATER
In 1979, when Carol Walker wrote “How to Succeed in Business Without Being a Man,” women in the workplace were certainly more common than their 1940 counterparts. But they still had to pull Houdini-like moves to gain even one rung on that metaphorical ladder of success.

Walker, who defied odds to become a successful Utah County businesswoman in the insurance field, wrote her book to inspire women to fulfill their potential at a time it was not popular to do so. Here are three book excerpts that showcase the hardships and inner-strength women had to face just 30 years ago.

“When I can be a voice for changing things, I raise my voice. But it doesn’t make sense to me to let the silly world punish me for something I had no part in arranging. In short, I’d say that if you are going to succeed in selling you must make the world — just as it is — work for you and not against you.” (Page 79)

“Let me warn you that a woman, however, has only about two minutes to prove her value before a man will mentally eliminate her as someone he wants to do business with. He may placate or patronize her or tease her, as he would someone he would like to pursue on a social level, but he’ll never do business with her.” (Page 79)

“I know absolutely that you can succeed, you can have whatever you desire, that you can become whatever you aspire to become. It’s all up to you. The world is yours for the taking. Don’t let everyone else take your share.” (Page 158)

NOW
These days, successful women in the workplace are no longer a phenomenon. An extraordinary achievement? Absolutely. But a rarity, no.
There’s still higher to climb (thank goodness for high heels), but women are doing it with fierceness, femininity and flair. Below, four local women weigh in on what it means to be a woman in business in 2008.

“It’s an exciting time. We are finally at a tipping point where more women are being recognized for, not only their achievements, but their unique skills. There are still challenges unique to women, like coping with stereotypes and facing the last few holdovers from the good-old-boy networks. Despite that, more and more businesses are recognizing the value a strong female presence can bring to the organization.”
— Kim Brown, Kim Brown & Associates

“We’ve become much more accepting of women in the workplace, which is significant. It’s what we need.
Personally, I’ve been very fortunate. In the 24 years I’ve been in business, I can’t think of a time I was looked down upon in the workplace because I was a woman. I’ve felt it in my personal life, but never in the workplace. The reason for that has been two-fold. One, I work in a field — catering — that is considered ‘acceptable’ for women. And second, because of who I am. I put out to the world confidence, and what I get back is trust.”
— Mary Crafts, Culinary Crafts

“When the Zions Women’s Financial Group approached me about providing funding for our building, I did a double-take — I hadn’t even thought about the fact that we are, indeed, woman-owned. What a great turn of events. Women leaders are so prevalent today that it’s often just a coincidence when a business is woman-owned — nothing more.”
— Cheryl Snapp Conner, Snapp Conner PR

“It’s great to see more women in Utah choosing careers and recognizing they do not have to sacrifice motherhood. These women are empowering themselves to be contributors in the community, business world and their homes.”
— Jill Grammer-Williams, American Name Services

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