Equality for the new Decade

Heading into a new decade (hello new roaring 20’s!) and it’s only a month away. So, what would it take for women really, and I mean really find equality in the workplace? In my opinion, a whole hell of a lot.

Let’s think about it for a second. Even if women get promoted over men or every country guarantees equal pay (which I, there’s still the notion in a lot of cultures that view women not as equals.

Not to mention, an unconscious bias even within the minds of other women in the workplace.  I have found myself guilty of it. And if you don’t think it’s that big of a deal – check out this article on Forbes.

And let’s be honest, this sh*t has been going on for a while now. Think about it. Even in school, when you learned about Cleopatra, what was the focus?

Her beauty and love affairs. Booo. Not the fact she was the last Egyptian Pharaoh (who wasn’t even Egyptian btw, she was Macedonian) after a 5,000-year reign. Nor the fact that she spoke as many as a dozen languages and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, oratory, and astronomy. You go girl.

How about Eleanor Roosevelt? First ladies’ wife that was considered controversial for being outspoken against her husband and/or for her special lady friend. Either way, it completely misses the humanitarian work she did and a laundry list of other work / fun facts:

• • The first presidential spouse to hold regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column, write a monthly magazine column, host a weekly radio show, and speak at a national party convention.
  • She pressed the United States to join and support the United Nations and became its first delegate.
  • She served as the first chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights and oversaw the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • She chaired the JFK administration’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.
  • By the time of her death, she was regarded as “one of the most esteemed women in the world.”

How about them apples? And yet she is wholly overshadowed due to her husband’s work.  She should be compared as an equal, not be in his shadows.

And then there are the women who are just entirely forgotten.  Check out this article – I can guarantee, unless you are a history buff, these names will ALL be foreign to you and your history books.

And what they’ve done is no small feat including “circumnavigated the globe seven times, had climbed more than 300 peaks of 10,000 feet or above and had the Truda Peaks, named in her honor.” $50 bucks if you know this name without cheating.

For Real Equality, We Need a Re-writing of History

The reality is, we may have to go back and change the books to get this unconscious bias out of our minds. (Not to mention probably a slew of other psychological tricks to address it). Otherwise, all the work we are doing is just wishful thinking and more of the same. And it not only starts in the school, but it also starts with the older generation getting history straight. Not a biased version.

We need to go back and re-write history to put women as equals. We need just as many women as men featured for their accomplishments. Even if we need to burn a book to gain attention to the cause. Let’s just make sure we have the new versions ready to go so all is not lost!

Oh, and another thing… we need to call out all the bad behavior of these people. Let’s tell the truth about ALL historical figures, even their dark sides. Like with drugs having to present ‘fair balance’ reporting and information about medications, the same should be said for those in history books.

If you don’t know about these men , you should look it up (aside from the obvious ones that come to mind). For example: Steve Jobs. Yeah, everyone wants to love him because of the iPhone and other products, but in actuality he readily employed people in sub-human conditions and didn’t think it was a problem. He clamed sweatshops “aren’t that bad.”

Um, say what? He also didn’t donate his wealth to good causes, which would be fine except when he regained control of Apple, he shut down Apple’s charity programs! Not cool.

Check out other #WSW – Women Supporting Women Blogs

Gaining True Equality, won’t be Easy

I know what you’re thinking you want me to burn a book? There’s enough global warming going on. Telling the truth about the people and their dark secrets? You’re crazy lady!

I’ve got a few old Biology and other text books from college that are outdated, and it’s getting pretty cold out here in the bay area (heating is expensive!). What we have been taught, hasn’t always been the full truth. Otherwise, how do we battle this ridiculous bias in the workplace that doesn’t seem to go away?

It’s in our subconscious from day one, and that’s hard to changge. So without drastic actions, the change will continue to be ridiculously slow. Women can continue to be better leaders, negotiators, and workers, and we’ll still be behind the curve in the workforce.

Not to mention, people (men and women) will continue to be the ego-driven, stab you in the back jerks if it’s not addressed. Bad behavior deserves consequences. And good behavior deserves to be highlighted.  If it were only that simple!