She Ain't No Delicate Flower

Stop Referring to My Cankles!

Fat Chicks Don't Talk Smack

Well, this one beats the Guide to Flirting hands down. These transportation managers really had women-in-the-workplace down to a science. An excerpt from a July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine offering advice to managers hiring women during WWII these gem pieces of advice:

• "Pick young married women... they're less likely to be flirtateous" (actually somewhat true)
• "'Husky girls' are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters" (except when they're hungry);
  
• Make sure to have a detailed schedule laid out because women "lack initiative" (tell that to the hordes of useless cads I've bossed around on a daily basis at work)
• "A girl is more confident and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day" (yes - to wash the stink of slimy, gropey, misogynistic managers off of them)
• "Be reasonably considerate about the use of strong language around women" (fuck that)

Um, no this isn't a joke.

Sexism > Racism?

I'm not sure. I'm really not sure whether there is more racism or sexism in society today. I certainly can't testify to how blacks (primarily) experience racism in America today (though did have a revealing exchange with an Indian man on one of my last flights as to how he goes through extra security pretty much every time he flies). I don't know that it truly matters if there is "more" or "less" of one than the other.

Of course, there is a bright shining light on this question given the oft-heralded historic race for the Democratic Presidential nomination between Hillary and Barack (did I mention I <3). Hence, the numerous conversations (bordering on argument, perhaps) with several friends. As a fervent Barack supporter, I feel like this belief puts me squarely in the camp of the post-feminists (though not the self-hating shrew variety). One shouldn't vote for a woman presidential candidate primarily because she's a woman. One should vote for the person they believe who will do the best job.

Yet, I do cringe at the way in which many members of the press - including the typically open-minded Chris Matthews - characterize Hillary. On the other hand, I "denounce" and "reject" (to use the parlance of tight-rope walking presidential candidates as they trek the across the mined field of supporters who stick-foot-in-mouth) the whines of Hillary supporters who complain that the media is being sexist.

In reading this recent piece in Conde Nast's Portfolio about sexism in the workplace, I found myself agreeing wholeheartedly with HP's famous-ex-CEO, Carly Fiorina (despite her being a McCain supporter and all) as she was quoted in a recent interview:

"The reason I wouldn't deal with gender when I became C.E.O. of H.P. is that I believed in a meritocracy where gender isn't the issue. I wanted to play by the same rules. Look, I'm not an idiot. There are clearly things that are different for men and women in leadership. But I believe you have to be the change you seek."

Be the Change You Seek, indeed. Although maybe there are more women in the boardroom (WSJ $), and in executive management, than other "underrepresented" minorities. But that doesn't make the experience of sexism in today's work world, unreal. For as many times as I've...

• been called "ambitious",
• had a boss tell me not to swim too much because women with big shoulders are not attractive,
• struggled to figure out what to wear to look stylish, but not overtly sexy,
• been hit on by a superior with direct, and far-reaching authority, to determine my next opportunity at the firm
• etc.
  

there may also have been times that I've benefited from being a (queue the immodesty alarm) smart, driven female professional. I'm not asking anyone to cry a river for me. Quite the opposite. Just as I-Heart-Barack-Obama appealed to the public the other day to have a frank, open and honest discussion about race relations, I appeal to - at least my small circle of friends - to have some friendly, open discussion about sexism in our companies and our society. I wholeheartedly intend to compete-the-pants off of my male counterparts during the course of my career, but I also want to raise a glass to thank the women of my mother's generation - yes, including Hillary - that sacrificed and strove, so I could be as successful as I am capable of being (though long way to go there still :)).

UPDATE: A few more interesting articles/op-ed pieces about sexism and racism this weekend. Neither really offer any unique insight, but just help present the information in a different way.