027 - Evolution of Women in Business: 1956 vs. Today

Welcome to another episode of Women Powering eCommerce, where we embark on a journey through time to explore the evolution of women's roles in the business world. Join me as we delve into a fascinating 1956 article from the Toronto Star, titled "Why Few Women Become Executives," and discover the striking differences between then and now. From outdated beliefs to inspiring progress, this episode highlights the journey towards women's empowerment in the workplace.

The 1956 Perspective

In 1956, a headline blared, "Neurotic competition, jealousy, possessiveness are some of the reasons why women rarely rise to the top in the 25% of Canadian jobs they hold." This headline was a reflection of the mindset of that era, an era where women were often confined to certain roles and viewed through a distorted lens. The article suggested that many married working women were considered "neurotic," and the only reason they pursued careers was to keep up with societal expectations.

Outdated Beliefs and Drawbacks

The article's content went on to outline various reasons why women were not promoted to executive roles. These reasons included feelings of jealousy towards other women's success, a lack of ability to plan as accurately as men, and a refusal to confront problems head-on. It portrayed women as easily discouraged and incapable of taking on significant responsibilities. While reading this today, we might find these notions almost comical, they served as a snapshot of the prevailing attitudes at the time.

Transition to Today

However, amidst these outdated beliefs, there were glimmers of change. The article noted that women were beginning to break free from the traditional undervaluation of their abilities. The concept of "womanpower" was emerging as a vital aspect of national planning. This shift paved the way for leaders in the US and Canada to convene and discuss the effective utilization of womanpower, marking a significant step towards recognizing women's potential.

Comparing Eras: Then and Now

Comparing the past with the present, one striking change is the perception of women in the workforce. In 1956, the prevailing opinion was that women were ill-suited for significant roles. Today, the majority acknowledges that women can excel in any job, challenging and shattering those old stereotypes.

Another notable difference lies in women's positions of authority. Back then, very few women held leadership roles, with the majority confined to teaching or clerical positions. Today, while progress has been made, there is still room for improvement. However, the rising number of women in leadership positions indicates a promising trajectory.

Balancing Work and Family

The article from 1956 also underscored the belief that women's primary role was to manage the household, not engage in the workforce. Contrastingly, modern society acknowledges the importance of both men and women balancing work and family responsibilities. Many companies now offer flexible policies that support employees in managing their professional and personal lives effectively.

Gratitude for Progress

Reflecting on the journey from 1956 to the present, it becomes evident how much has changed for women in the workforce. The opportunities available to women today stand as a testament to the relentless efforts of those who fought for gender equality. The strides made over the years have transformed workplaces into more inclusive environments where talents and abilities, rather than gender, determine success.

Conclusion

As we conclude this episode of Women Powering eCommerce, we're reminded of the profound shift that has occurred in the landscape of women's participation in the workforce. From the limited expectations of 1956 to the boundless possibilities of today, women have overcome challenges, shattered barriers, and embraced their rightful place in the business world.

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey. If you found this episode thought-provoking and insightful, don't hesitate to share, like, and subscribe. Together, we can continue to empower and uplift women entrepreneurs in the ever-evolving world of eCommerce. Stay tuned for more inspiring content that celebrates women's achievements and charts a path toward even greater success.

Episode Transcription

027 - Evolution of Women in Business: 1956 vs. Today

(00:00):

Welcome, eCommerce empresses, to this episode of Women Powering eCommerce. Join me every Tuesday and Thursday as I take you behind the scenes of my journey as a female eCommerce entrepreneur. Together we'll explore the highs, the lows, inspiring you to take action and achieve your own business goals. So let's get started.

(00:33):

Okay, so last week I stumbled across a 1956 article from the Toronto Star, titled Why Few Women Become Executives, and I was flabbergasted. I had to share with you. I thought this would be a great share. So this article discussed why few women were able to become executives during that time. We're talking about 70 years ago, more or less. And by analyzing the content and comparing it with today's business world for a woman, I thought it was very interesting to see those differences, and I just had to tell you about that, and let me know what you think. I thought it was very interesting.

(01:20):

But first, let me share with you a few sentences that were written in this article. So first of all, the headline was this one. Neurotic competition, jealousy, possessiveness are some of the reasons why women rarely rise to the top in the 25% of Canadian jobs they hold. So that was the headline, and in the attempt to explain why few women are getting executive roles, here's what it said. It says, "A prominent psychiatrist believes many married working women are neurotic." No more, no less than that. Neurotic. "And the only reason they leave their small children to hold down jobs is a desire to keep up with the Joneses."

(02:09):

And then it gave other drawbacks as to why women are not promoted to executive roles, and here's one of them. "Women have a feeling of jealousy towards other women who are getting ahead for fear the female would fail." And then period. "Possessiveness." That was just one sentence. "Inability to plan as accurately as men. Refusal to meet problems head on. Becoming too easily discouraged."

(02:39):

But things were really starting to change, because we can also read... So I mean, we read that today; we find it almost funny. But at the same time, I felt that reading the article, we felt the transition into today's mentality and what we actually see in our culture a little bit more today. It says, "Even with these drawbacks, women have eliminated the traditional undervaluation of their abilities. Womanpower is now an essential part of national planning. That's why leaders of the US and Canada got together in Washington to take part in a conference on the effective use of womanpower."

(03:23):

So comparing that 1956 article to today's business world for women, a few things I found. How people see women at work: back then, 1956, many people thought women were not good at handling big jobs, and now today, more people understand that women can do any job.

(03:45):

Next thing I felt there was a big difference was having a woman as a boss. Back then, even though many women were working, very few were bosses, and in the article it was saying that the majority of women in the workplace were teachers, bank clerks, et cetera, but not executives or leaders or bosses. But now there are more women bosses today, but there's still room for more, I think. I think we're going in the right direction.

(04:19):

Another difference is taking care of family and working. Back then, people thought that women should be at home taking care of the family, not working, and now I think both men and women are expected to balance work and family, and some companies even help with that, which is great.

(04:39):

I mean, it's just short. I just had to share with you. I just came across that. I'm like, "I have to talk about it." So overall, I feel that a lot has changed since 1956 and women have more opportunities at work today, definitely. So discovering this article just made me realize, yes, how much has changed since 1956 for women at work, and also, it made me super, super grateful to be in the time I'm in today. It definitely is a great time to be female at work and we have the possibility to take on so many more opportunities, make a difference, and it just made me very grateful.

(05:22):

So if you liked this little episode and if you like the podcast, please share, like, subscribe, and that's how we're going to help more women entrepreneurs in the eCommerce space.

(05:33):

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I hope you gained valuable insights and inspiration today to keep growing and taking action towards your goals. Please follow me on social media. Also, follow us on your favorite podcast platform to get notifications every time a new episode is uploaded. See you next time.