Author’s note: I thought hard for weeks to remember something I did that could be considered “Good Trouble,” and finally this incident popped up. It’s very small in the scheme of what we have experienced recently. However, when a few years ago I mentioned to my younger work colleagues that “help wanted” ads were separated into men and women, their eyes widened in disbelief. How could that be? So, perhaps my actions help remedy an injustice in a small way.
In violation of the law, the ads were "segregated" ... Someone had to do something, we agreed, but what?
In 1976, with a recession raging and after a nine-month struggle, I finally found a full-time job answering phones in a San Francisco advertising agency. I learned quickly, graduating to writing radio commercials, proofreading copy, and coordinating print jobs. While vestiges of the Mad Men era still existed, change was happening. To increase my learning and opportunities for advancement, I joined San Francisco Women in Advertising. This group turned out to be much more than what I expected–I made lifelong friends (I communicate with Joni and Linda to this day), and became more aware of the obstacles for women in the industry.
As one of the youngest women in the group, I looked up to the leaders, who had a knack for Good Trouble and how to instigate it in their everyday work lives. My favorite example came from Jayne Townsend, a flamboyant and assertive woman. When asked to get coffee for superiors or visitors (which was very common at that time regardless of one’s job level), she would fumble and spill the coffee so that she wouldn’t be asked again. Passive-aggressive resistance?
About six months after I joined, the group began to discuss what they thought was an egregious practice by Adweek, a magazine important in the Bay Area because it published the most comprehensive list of job ads. In violation of the law, the ads were “segregated” into help wanted men and help wanted women. And, predictably, the women’s ads were for receptionists, secretaries, and the occasional “assistant” for various departments. Someone had to do something, we agreed, but what?
After a few meetings and much deliberation, the group decided to write a letter to the managing editor of the magazine pointing out that the practice was now illegal and asking that it be stopped. The organization’s board would sign the letter, along with any members who wished to. The board encouraged us to sign to show that many women shared the commitment, but recognized that there could be personal risk. I wanted to sign, but hesitated. Would the publication retaliate in some way? Would my employer find out? What would they think? Could I be fired or blackballed? I’d worked so hard to even find my job, and after only six months, could I jeopardize it?
I thought of the future and how important it was that this source of discrimination be eliminated, and it was clearly worth the risk. I signed. About a week later, the board received a letter back from the magazine. It contained a single sentence: “We will comply with your request.” And they did. The separation was broken for good.
I wish that I had more Good Trouble experiences as I progressed in my career. While Adweek’s violation of the law was clear cut, salary inequities, harassment, and the myriad microaggressions women confronted were in murkier territory–harder to prove, with a higher risk of retaliation in the 1970s and 1980s. Instead I changed jobs and ultimately started my own business to go around these issues rather than confront them directly. I will remember with gratitude the actions of the San Francisco Women in Advertising board, including Jayne Townsend, Sally Berenson, and Julia Robb Dorn, for initiating the Good Trouble that reduced some job discrimination.
MarianI have recently retired from a marketing and technical writing and editing career and am thoroughly enjoying writing for myself and others.
Marian, I think you were brave to risk retaliation by signing that letter. You made some noise in a way that felt comfortable to you.
Thanks Laurie. I guess you can get into good trouble in a quiet way.
You did the right thing, despite the possible risk and consequences, Marian. Good for you. You helped bring about change. That is ALWAYS good trouble. As a woman of the same, “certain” age, I’ve experienced my own share of discrimination, sexual harassment and #MeToo moments. I’ve written about several. We keep moving forward.
Thanks, Betsy. These days I am impressed by the fortitude of the younger women who are continuing to speak out about all sorts of discrimination and harassment.
Good for you, Marian. You did absolutely the right thing for the right reasons; the very essence of “good trouble.” And, as noted, you did it despite real — if illegal — risks and consequences to you. Now, if we can just get an Equal Rights Amendment passed…..
It’s been an uphill fight, John, but I am encouraged by the Gen Z group, who seem to be able to call out problems directly. More voices for progress!
That took a lot of courage.
Thank you, Dave. What bothered me the most was how much time and effort it was to find that job in the first place, for 70 cents on the dollar for what the men were making at that. I had to take the long view and hope that my actions would come back to benefit me and other women in the long run. Every little bit turned out to help.
Brava Marian, I think Notorious RBG would be proud of you, she surely approved of getting into good trouble.
We heard RBG speak just a few years ago at Brandeis, we drove up for it, and as we were finding seats in the hall, there a few rows ahead if us was Anita Hiil who was – is still?- on the Brandeis faculty. It was s double-header – two bright, assertive and courageous women!
Wow, what an incredible speech by RBG, Dana, and then to have Anita Hill there as well. Talk about women who personify the meaning of Good Trouble. Wish I could have been there.
There is strength in community, and I’m sure that the close relationships you had with your co-workers made that paper easier to sign. All the small actions add up, and are not forgotten. Good on you.
Thanks, Khati, it is so much easier when you can take action as part of a group.
Good for you, Marian, and thanks for telling us about this good trouble you got into back in the day. I remember those segregated help wanted ads, and it was no small feat that you helped to get that policy changed.
Thanks, Suzy, certainly a worthwhile effort looking back from my current perspective.
in a famous book by Eve Merriam, called the Inner City Mother Goose, there was a wonderful page that read something like “Applicant Fell, Applicant Fell, why we aren’t hiring you we cannot tell…Because
Oops I wasn’t finished! BECAUSE WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ”
I think that large movements and large social changes are made up of thousands of acts of resistance and expressions of dissent. I hope you take pride in being part of a wave that grew larger and swept away outdated and oppressive ideas about gender roles. Thanks for sharing a well written story of this experience.
Appreciate your comment, Dale, thank you. The next challenge is age discrimination, which I’ve written about in a couple of stories. Alas, corporate practices are shrewd and insidious, so it’s really hard to get into good trouble and call out the discrimination. My least favorite example is seeing job ads requiring “recent graduation from college,” which the companies swear isn’t discriminatory, because I could have received my degree within the last five years, right? Ouch, the best collective effort I’ve seen is from AARP.