A tale of quid pro quo sexual harassment

[drmeow]

In the 1950's, my grandmother missed out on an opportunity to be the Postmaster in her town because of quid pro quo sexual harassment.

Per the USPS: From 1836 to 1971, postmasters at the larger Post Offices were appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate. Postmasters earning less than $1,000 per year were appointed by the Postmaster General, generally upon the advice of the local congressman or townspeople.

According to my grandmother, "[He] had some influence in the County with the veterans and in fact he wanted me to go into bed with him and I said to hell with you. "I'll fly to Washington, DC and you won't get the Postmaster" I said "I can't help it. Get out."

"We were at a meeting and I was at the head table and, let's see, I'll guess he was at the head table, too, maybe he was sitting next to me and he asked me to his room for a drink of something and I ... anyway, I could see what was going on and I just turned around and he said, you won't get this appointment."

"The head of the Democrats in the County had a party for me and I got up and they said this is the next Postmistress of [town]. - nothing mattered. That guy flew to Washington and did what he said he was going to do and I didn't get it."

[mercuryblues]

1. All these years later

it is still the same for many women.

[drmeow]

2. Yes

But now we have a name for it and we can talk about it. Tiny steps but some progress. I remember in the 80's when I complained to a male friend about inappropriate treatment at the office we both worked at and he told me to get over myself (I ripped into him - in retrospect I'm surprised I was so 'woke' at 22 but given my grandmother, maybe not such a surprise). If I'd known what to call it, it would have been much easier to make my point. I didn't have words like sexual harassment and hostile environment to throw at him (I shouldn't have needed them but, had I known them, it would have helped). I was in graduate school in 1991 when Anita Hill testified - my advisor was appointed the head of a commission to modify/develop my school's sexual harassment policy and training. And my school was a leader - the school I'm at now still had inadequate policies until about 10 years ago. We've still got a long way to go but I'd've preferred having that conversation with my friend now than back then!