Fun Fact of the Day: Did You Know Newspaper Want Ads Were Segregated by Gender Until 1973?
Yup. When former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor graduated from Stanford Law in 1952, she couldn’t find a job—because no law firm would hire a woman. In 1968, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission issued guidelines banning want ad segregation, but the EEOC had little power to enforce the law. It wasn’t until 1973, when a lawsuit filed against The Pittsburgh Press reached the Supreme Court, that segregated ads were officially made illegal.
A couple of gems from the Dec. 1, 1968 issue of the Raleigh News and Observer.
WOMEN
Wanted, settled white lady to work nights in rest home. Some experience and transportation.
Wanted, General Office “Gal Friday” type job for stable, personable lady in one girl office. Starting $80 week.
MEN
Wanted: Office Supervisor. Wholesale distribution office offers rapid financial advancement to young man who learns over-all operation quickly. Start $400.
Wanted: Experienced man to milk cows. Good salary, 6 room house with electric heat, also electric heat in milking parlor.
