International Women’s Day

As we learned from the Google Doodle, today is International Women’s Day.  I can already hear the protests of men saying, “Why isn’t there an international men’s day?”  That’s a good question.  I guess if you look at Congress, or at Wall Street, or at every major corporation in the country, and maybe even at your own radio station, you might conclude that every day is men’s day.

Calling attention to inequality is a good thing for our society.  How are the women faring at your station?  Considering that your audience is WAY more than 50% women in classical radio, does your management reflect that?  Your on-air staff?  Salaries?  We know that women composers are highly underrepresented because of women’s roles in history, but this is changing, too.

Did you laugh at Rush Limbaugh or were you offended for the women in your organization?  Do you support women making their own health decisions?

I’ve visited some third world countries where I was shocked by the dynamics for women.  One place I visited, the women are to serve the males in the family and only then may eat alone in the kitchen.  The women were allowed no decision-making in the household and had no budget of their own to manage.  I’m extremely glad to live in a country where we’ve made progress toward equality.

Every middle-aged woman can tell you stories of harrassment and discrimination.  (Feel free to share, ladies.) I was attacked walking home from the library one night in upscale Wellesley, MA.  I had a program director who told me I should be home with my family and leave the remote broadcasts (which paid well) for the men.   When I finally got my Ph.D. my boss told me I should be ashamed, because that wasn’t appropriate for a woman.  Real-life stories, guys, and just a drop-in-the-bucket for me personally.  And as an over-privileged, white, educated female I haven’t had to deal with half the stuff most women have.

So it’s nice to have a day to reflect on fairness, equality, and respect.  There’s always room for improvement.