In the late 1950’s, the gender quota for American astronaut candidates was 100 percent male and 0 percent female. After some men had gone into space, Jerrie Cobb broke the all-male quote in the early 1960’s with twenty-four other female pilots when NASA allowed them to go through the physical and psychological evaluation as part of the First Lady Astronaut Trainees Programme. Jerrie ranked in the top 2 percent of all the astronaut candidates (regardless of gender), which is no surprise as she has been teaching men to fly places at nineteen years of age and had gone on to set a world record for speed altitude and distance. She was told by NASA that she’d be the first women in space and was celebrated on television.

However, America was not ready to let its all-male quota go, NASA canceled the women’s program in 1963.John Glenn testified that ‘’men go off and fight the wars and fly the planes’’ and added ‘’the fact that women are not in this field is a fact of our social order’’

Jerrie put up a fight but eventually gave up, but she did so many amazing things in her life despite this setback, she won pilot of the year by her colleagues and did some amazing humanitarian work. Jerrie had smashed so many ceilings before hitting this bump in the road, making world records and winning multiple awards.

Jerrie’s story highlights how because of ‘social order’ and gendered roles women were not allowed to succeed or try to succeed in the way that men where. Her story is a testament to the sex discrimination that women did and still undergo. Whilst we have come far there are still limitations that many of us face.

‘Glass ceilings’ is a term that was created by Marilyn Loden in 1978, when she listened to a panel of female individuals discussing women’s deficiencies in socialisation and the self-deprecating ways in which behaved and the poor self-image that women allegedly carried. She was shocked that the criticisms were on women’s personalities and not focussed on the issue that was cultural. Many women have been limited by the glass ceiling put in place by society, including women like Jerrie.

Now as women we are able to do many jobs that a long time ago Jerrie and others could not do because they were not seen as jobs for women. That glass ceiling seems in many of the western world to have been smashed, however, there is still stigma within many industries and for women reaching higher paid/positioning jobs. And still gender-based inequalities within many job roles.

Women in Work are hosting a ‘Breaking Glass Ceilings’ open discussion on the 6^th February at Mansions of the future, 6:45pm, we will be discussing the inequalities that may still exist for women now. The personal ‘glass ceilings’ we place on ourselves and the responsibility that we have as modern women today. We hope to see you there. (Tickets can be purchased here)

So whether we see you at our next event or not, keep breaking them glass ceilings, and smashing back them prosecco glasses at every little success you have!

Elena Cossar – President of Women in Work.

‘I’d rather look back at my life and say ‘I can’t believe I did that’ instead of saying ‘I wish I’d done that’

One of my goals for last year was to start doing things that scared me. I experienced the loss of someone very close to me and I decided that life is too short, and that you should say yes to things that might scare you initially, because sometimes those things end up being the most rewarding. Last year seemed to be a year of new beginnings, a new degree, a few new jobs. I was faced with lots of opportunities, some I was excited for and others scared me. 

Taking up the role as president of Women in Work was one of those things that I was terrified of. I was scared of failing of not being able to handle it. I doubted my ability. But I took that leap, the impact Women in Work had on my life when I attended one of the conferences was amazing. I remember coming away in tears, feeling inspired and encouraged at a time when emotionally I felt like I was failing. And so when I was considering taking up a role in Women in Work I thought about this, about how positively it impacted me and that perhaps all the hard work would be worth it and help many others.

And so that is why I will be continuing on with the goal of saying yes to things that scare me, I want to be able to look back at my life and look at the long list of accomplishments no matter how big or small. Women in Work continues to excite me and push me. Find something that you are passionate about even if it scares you. 

If you are feeling disheartened by a difficult year, difficult month, week or day that’s okay but turn it around with some positive thinking and reflection. Remind yourself that no matter where you are in your journey you are doing amazing.

Here are some quotes to start the new year with, write one down for a day when you may need some encouragement.

Elena Cossar.