I was like your friend.  Also in my case I didn’t want a job that would hinder me from being on call for our kids if they needed me (accident or illness at school, etc.).  My husband worked out of town, so I was "it".  I’m 72 years old, so feminism didn’t inspire me as much, & like your friend, my salary, the perks & the respect I gained at work increased over the years.

My profession was teaching and my tenure was at a time when women were just beginning to be given postions in Administration. Although I never had a problem getting a position because I taught French & Spanish, there were a few times when I was asked how many children I had and if I planned on having any more in the next 5 years. Whenever I reported these intrusive questions to my Federation, I was told that while the questions were considered "inappropriate" that they were not prepared to challenge the ethics of those who had asked them, nor were the guilty male Principals interviewing me given a warning. When it came to Maternity Leave, it was the men who suffered the prejudice. Very few Boards allowed a Father to take Maternity Leave to look after a baby while his wife returned to teach. If it was granted at all, it was always granted to the woman. Those who chose to adopt had difficulty getting any leave at all. This was over 40 years ago and I realize that some areas have made major changes. There was also a huge"to-do" about what to do with homosexual teachers who chose to reveal their choices after they had permanent tenure. Some Boards refused to allow them to teach children over the age of 10 and offered them lower grades even if they were very competent. One lady I knew was an excellent classroom teacher and a skilled staff Workshop leader, yet she was passed over her entire career for every Principal or Vice Principal position advertised in our Board. She was frequently called to Supply for an absent Administrator but paid only regular teacher’s salary. It was appalling treatment but none of us could effect change no matter how much we complained. Hopefully those in the classroom are not encountering such prejudicial treatment in the 21st century.