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Subject:Women in the Technical Workplace From:Tim Altom <taltom -at- IQUEST -dot- NET> Date:Wed, 20 Mar 1996 21:43:00 EST
Melonie, I'm proud to post this for you.
>Return-Path: <mrh -at- abmdata -dot- com>
>Reply-To: mrh -at- abmdata -dot- com
>Subject: Women in the Technical Workplace
>To: taltom -at- IQUEST -dot- NET
>Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 08:57:37 -0600 (CST)
>From: Melonie Holliman <mrh -at- abmdata -dot- com>
>Content-Length: 1878
>Tim,
>Hello, I am having trouble posting to the group. You
>may post this if you like.
>You hit a nerve when you mentioned women getting an
>unfair deal in the workplace. I live in Austin, which
>is really quite advanced, especially for Texas. I am
>not in any way a feminist, but this is ridiculous.
>And the problems are not because of a bunch of back-
>wards, low-self esteem stereotypical Bubbas (though they
>are out there, for sure). Some women can be even more
>sexually discriminating than men.
>High Tech also seems worse than some other fields.
>I worked in a large semiconductor corporation here in town
>which found a way around equal pay for equal work--titles.
>Most the women are Business Analysts, most the men are
>System analysts (at about 75% more pay). Rotten deal.
>And talk about lack of respect, my female boss was the
>absolute worst. However, part of that was because I put
>up with it. I finally insisted on change, it did not
>happen, so I left.
>Now I am very happy working for a smaller company for
>better pay and better hours. And I do not give them
>a chance not to respect me. I have to perform outstandingly
>where a man may not have to work so hard. I can deal with
>that--pay me less, no way!!
>I may get screams and shouts for this, but PART of the
>problem is women will accept lower pay. We have to realize
>that standing up for ourselves is what it takes. It sucks,
>but we cannot wait for someone to see our worth, we have
>to point it out (this applies to anyone). It was terrifying
>to leave a steady job, contract for awhile (which really
>helped me see my worth), and hold out for better pay and
>conditions, but it was worth it.
>Thank God, the next generation does not seem to see these
>lines as readily. I dream that, one day, we will be seen
>for what we can do, not who we are.
