Comments on Friday Musings: Copping Out of Opting OutTypePad2012-02-28T19:18:49ZYvonne DiVitahttps://www.lipsticking.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.lipsticking.com/2012/03/friday-musings-copping-out-of-opting-out/comments/atom.xml/Beth commented on 'Friday Musings: Copping Out of Opting Out'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c011b53ef0168e8930b1f970c2012-03-08T19:10:35Z2012-03-08T19:10:35ZBethNever heard the phrase "Gamma Woman," but I now have it in my mind as a prototype. I can even...<p>Never heard the phrase "Gamma Woman," but I now have it in my mind as a prototype. I can even see a couple of them who played a strong role in my life. Good content. </p>
<p>Gamma women don't happen overnight; it takes some hard knocks, making career opportunities for yourself, lots of tut-tutting from others, and a will to be what you are.</p>
<p> I entered the workforce in 1954 when, if you believed the magazines and newspapers, all women were stay-at-home mothers or spinsters. Options? nursing, teaching, secretary--until you married. Lots of "Gamma Girls" were keeping it to themselves and wondering what to do with those urges to be different than "everyone else."</p>
<p>After thirteen years at home raising children, I entered the work world...through politics...in an exciting position in the Indiana General Assembly and progressed through business ownership. By now it is 1972, and I discovered several things: 1, I was capable and could command attention with my skills, 2, that it was heady business, and 3, life wasn't so wonderful for other women..and joined the Women's Rights movement.</p>
<p>That opened my eyes, and now, having the perspective of many years behind me, women in the workforce have been a tremendous force in the growth we've experienced since the fifties and sixties. America couldn't get to a DOW of 12,000 without mobilizing women-power.<br />
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I applaud the generations that follow me--raising families (partners "opting in" or "opting out" of the workforce as it benefits the family unit), contributing to their community. </p>
<p>Actually, today is International Women's Day, and I think it is appropriate to celebrate by saying, "Great Going, Women." way. I'm proud of my contribution to today's world and pleased to have forums like this to share what I have learned.</p>