At the last minute I decided to join
The theme of the swap was "empowerment."
Here are the postcards I made.
The images come from the 1949 edition of "Every Woman's Standard Medical Guide."
It's easy to laugh at the absurdity of these captions, but I think it's important to stop once in a while and reflect on how much has changed in such a short time. This isn't ancient history, this was the reality for so many people we know directly. Who do you know who was raised during these times? Your mother? Your grandmother? Perhaps you yourself.
Having grown up in the "Free To Be You and Me" 70s it's easy for me to take my rights and freedoms for granted. I have never felt oppressed or limited in my options.
The funny thing about this book is that I believe it was intended as a source of empowerment.
As it says above, we women are assets even in the halls of Congress. Imagine that!
(Just make sure you're married while you do "a man's job.")
I am thankful to the generations of women who fought and resisted and paved the way for the life I lead now. I am reminded to not become complacent as our current and future generations continue to work for equity. Perhaps the 2012 edition of "Our bodies, Ourselves" will look quaint and outdated to our future granddaughters.
Brilliant! the first and third ones are me :D trying to fill that empty place where a husband should be with my career lol
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you decided to join! (Although I didn't get your name this time.) I could go on and on about this topic, from all directions. But I won't. Love your postcards.
ReplyDeleteI actually sat at one of those switchboards (third picture) as a young 18 year old telephone operator. Times have definitely changed but we still have a long way to go for complete equality for women. I love all your postcards here. Someone will be very lucky to get one of them.
ReplyDeleteFantastic postcards - those images are superb!
ReplyDeleteGood reminder on how far we've come! These are some fab cards (as usual) and a great addition to her swap.
ReplyDeleteLove these, we should celebrate those strong women who got us here. The neutrals with the pops of red really reinforce the illustrations. xox
ReplyDeleteGreat cards. They bring back memories. Notice all those working women in dresses. One hardly ever saw a woman in slacks. Lots of things have changed but there is still a ways to go.
ReplyDeleteI was giggling....but, you are sooooo right! What a different world it was for us, not so long ago....
ReplyDeletekaren! Karen, Karen, Karen!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you joined the postcard swap! Now I have a one in 4,000 chance of getting one of your cards!! I really like these. I love the era of this book, I mean, in an arty, curiosity way. If I were an adult in that era I'd probably have been arrested numerous times. For being a human being!!
Love the postcards, Karen.My mom lived that life -- and I can't stand Mad Men because I hate that period of time. Thank God for change!
ReplyDeleteVery nice cards. The design is great all around.
ReplyDeleteYes, that was my life! And that of every girl I knew. I was not allowed to go to university because I had two younger brothers, and 'only boys go to university'. But never mind, I did it under my own steam later in life - twice, and got more out of it. Even in 1980 I was told I would not get the promotion that I was due to 'because I was a woman'. And I'm sure it still goes on.
ReplyDeleteBUT it all makes us stronger and more determined! And our feminism of the 1970s was worth it for the difference it has made for younger women.
Love all the cards.
And by the way, I just went somewhere else for the promotion! Never give up.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the colors and layout and theme of your postcards! These are so "my style." I remember my first job as a "secretary" - 1983, I was 19. I worked with a lovely older woman who really became my mentor in those early years. She was delightfully old school - our boss would ask her to come into the office, and she'd immediately pick up her steno pad, pen at the ready!! This was just a few years before desktop computers for everyone became the norm. Making me feel old just writing about this!
ReplyDeleteOk, couple of things. I love your cards and colors, first of all. Now, those women look a little pissed off to me. I don't sit like that at my desk. These are definitely fun to look at and power to the women.
ReplyDeletegood stuff and so many for a "last minute" thing!
ReplyDeleteI adore these postcards! and love your blog. guess we've come a long way, but I think the ridiculous attitudes still are there, just in a sneakier way...gotta keep a sense of humor about it or we'll go crazy! so glad I found your blog and really interested in getting into mail art...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Fabulous Karen. I wouldn't expect anything less from you :D
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, thanks alot for the fab postcard. I received the first one, The Business Girl, and I love it! Good reminder as well. I am your latest follower too. Thanks again.
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