International Womens Day 2012
@lindasgrant highlights stories that show why feminism is and was necessary
@lindasgrant - university friend told in first arch job she wouldn't 'get on' as she didn't play golf and wasn't in the masons (2000).
#iwd @lindasgrant Cambridge 1982, 1st yr mixed, no baths for women. Tutor; if u want a bath, young lady, get a boyfriend with a bathroom.
@lindasgrant When I was in a domestic violence shelter in the US, I learned some things that you can only learn there, in that dark hole.
@lindasgrant '80s temp jobs - Age Concern HQ Norbury: 1st task make coffee for male boss. Nameless office in Putney: porn on walls.
@lindasgrant boy piano pupil, age 6 said I was very old cos of hair (plat.blonde), specs and look like a gran. Stereotyping starts young
@lindasgrant in restaurants, waiters almost always hand bill & then card machine to husband, even though I'm paying.
@lindasgrant When my father heard I was a girl, he immediately left the hospital and went to drown his sorrows. It starts so young. #iwd
@lindasgrant was asked by male colleague if there is something wrong with me as i don't want to be a mother, as its not normal apparently
@lindasgrant In the 80s, my father said that anyone who takes sociology becomes a lesbian. I think he meant feminist. Now I teach it.
@lindasgrant female interviewer grilled me about childcare if kids ill even though husband stay at home dad 'but how will he cope?' #IWD
@lindasgrant When behind the till with a male colleague customers always hand the book and money to me and ask colleague questions. Odd.
@lindasgrant in a job appraisal in 2000 boss said to me that I need to work harder for clients to find me credible because I was blonde.
@lindasgrant Bike shopping for cycle challenge in work attire. Male salesman glanced at heels, said "Guessing you'll be in the slow group?"
@lindasgrant working at national broadsheet recently, instructions straight from the top: 'we need more pictures of women and animals'
@lindasgrant: aged 13, after playing song I'd practiced all week for guitar teacher: 'that's pretty good for a girl.' I never went back #IWD
@lindasgrant on starting work in a secure forensic unit was told by the men who work there I wouldn't last 2 weeks as I was "too nice" #IWD
I was at DCThomson/Dundee in 70s:all women's mags - Jackie etc staffed by women except bloke in the corner - the Editor @lindasgrant #IWD
@lindasgrant When I returned to work`after maternity leave, HR told me about new secretarial processes. I've been a solicitor there for 6yrs
@lindasgrant in 80s- 17 yr old winner of nat debating comp told by man from sponsoring bank I was denying my "destiny" if i didn't have kids
@lindasgrant: as female attorney, was told to use 1st initial (not feminine 1st name) b/c client didn't "believe in lady lawyers."
@lindasgrant Y'day asylum seeking survivor of rape in prison fm Burundi deported by Home Office who refused to blv story despite gd evidence
The stories in @lindasgrant's timeline are making my head ache. It. Is. 2012. This can't still be happening, surely?
@clemencybh @lindasgrant Indeed! Kinda crucial we laugh, deride, share and move on from chauvinist nonsense and one day, maybe, it will end.
@suzyklein @lindasgrant ALL too familiar! But s'pose part of what #IWD all about is solidarity, which is encouragingly there in spades! Thx!- Overheard in 1997: my (male) boss describing me to new (male) colleague at work - small, brunette, big boobs. @lindasgrant #IWD.
