The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-07-01
Women Cry
f01" Equality
i'm PayCheCk
BY MARTHA LEE

Ever so often. 2 faint CRY rises
from the ranks Of working women
(Which reaches this desk bemoan-
ing the fact that there is discrimin-
alton between themselves and work
ing men.
I'VE work just as hard. just as
faithfully and very often with
greater attention 10 Details they
complain, "snd yet our remunera-
ton for the work is less. How
Gomez"
And the men, always quick on the
trigger. retort. why not? You
marry You quit your jobs as soon
as you hear the most remote tinkle
Of a wedding bell. You can afford
10 work for less because you do not
have the financial responsibility we
do Furthermore. your entrance
into our fields C endeavor have put
many of us out Of work When you
women come IN for jobs which,
granted you can do as well. the EN-
ployers offer you less money than
they would have to pay US, and you
take it.
The first part Of their retort is
true enough. A woman employe is
a greater risk than a male employe.
Women do have a way OF getting
married. A great number Of girls
take Jobs to bridge over the time
between school life and the altar.
Less Truth in Second
There is less truth in the second
part of the statement. Just as
many women have financial respon-
sibility as men. They work to sup
port parents. younger sisters and
brothers, besides themselves. Not
only that, but large percentage of
them, already married, work to sup
port their own children.
The status of women has changed
drastically in the last twenty-five
years. They have made tremendous
strides toward independence and
opportunities for them never have
been so diversified in any period as
in this year 1880. They are saner,
more capable, even healthier than
ever before, if We are to believe
statistics.
It's been a battle for them to gain
this independence. Men were de-
termined to keep them at home,
sewing fine seams. But they've
broken that tradition. And now
they want to be recognized, in round
numbers on the pay envelope, as be-
ing as important as men economi-
cally.
A woman worker makes the point
rather clear and brings. out some
new determinations besides.
Dear Miss Lee-Tm all worked up about
something and must get it Of my chest.
It's about the unfairness with which en-
ployers treat women workers.
have been in the same Office for six
years. ny ooint was to get ahead. 1
have fair executive ability and know it.
For five or six years. have been working
toward one job. I got meager increases
in salary. but I didn't mind that
wanted that lob Finally after a wait Of
five years. doing work for which I was
being paid less than several men employees
who had less responsible jobs than mine.
the opening came.
Put New Man in Place
Did get it7 Ask me. They put new
man in the place. and I've spent q month
teaching him all knew about it. It's so
unfair. Miss Lee. I know it's because
am q woman. I have 70 intentions Of
marrying and my employers have reason
to believe I'll be here as long as any man
they have in their enploye. But I didn't
get the job. guess We women not only
set less money. but also have slim chances
for advancement
SOUR.
Our educational system does this
sort of thing Women have won
greater independence and Self-as-
surance, which incidentally. has
brought them Incl eased economic
responsibilities But there is one
form of education for men and an
other entirely different one for
women. Which has a great deal to
do so with men getting the cream
OF jobs tand salaries) and women
taking what's left of both.
ou1' WIFI ali Oue respect 10
everybody concerned. a woman is
a greater financial risk for the en-
ployer. He has SO many girls who
are just beginning to be valuable to
his establishment. step out on him,
that he probably doesn't recognize
an old standby when he sees one.
Eventually. women workers will be
recognized as being as capable as
men on pay day. In the meantime,
I guess we'd better just be thankful
We are allowed a foothold in the
economic field, however dubious,
however inadequately paid. accord
ing 10 mems standard of u,aoes