And it’s a long, long way, baby.

I was inspired by two documents that recently came into my possession. One is a 1943 Guide to Hiring Women prepared for male supervisors of women in the workforce during World War II.

The other is a “The good wife’s guide” from Housekeeping Monthly in 1955, recently reprinted by Savvy&Sage.

Well, it sure has been a journey. Let’s start back on May 13, 1955 with the Good Wife. The first words in the article are “Have dinner ready…on time for his return.”  Because in the accompanying picture the Good Wife is standing in front of her pot-filled stove in her high heels and apron smiling at her husband and children I think she learned her lesson well.

Some of the other directions may be a bit harder for her to follow. After she’s touched up her makeup, put a ribbon in her hair, cleared away the clutter of schoolbooks and toys and run a dust cloth over the tables, she might be a tiny bit pooped. But she’s not ready yet. Now she has to wash up the kids, comb their hair and change their play clothes and then keep them quiet, because returning daddies are work-weary!

After the Good Wife greets hubby with a warm smile and that home-cooked meal and the tidy children , he makes the evening “his.”  And, heaven forbid, she must “…never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Don’t complain…even if he stays out all night.” Do I hear a rising crescendo of cheering male voices out there?

Well, when he finally does come home, the Good Wife must be sure to “Make him comfortable. Arrange a pillow and offer to take off his shoes.” But don’t throw them at him, please. And she has to be sure to greet him with a warm smile and show a sincere desire to please him, and above all “…remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.” Huh?

You guys might like this one too: “Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment…You have no right to question him. A good wife always knows her place.” Honest, these are quotes from Housekeeping Monthly about life for a married woman in the 1950s. I think if I ever go backwards in a time machine, I want to be the “hubby.”

Now that we live in an era when women fly planes off aircraft carriers and run for president, let’s take a look at hiring practices for women doing war work in 1943.  Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees will either make your blood boil or your belly laugh.

I found this Guide particularly personal since my sister was a WAIT during WWII, a member of Women’s Aircraft Instrument Technicians. She was trained to repair bomber instrument panels, lying on her back under the console using tiny brass tools she had crafted herself as her graduation test. She wore a uniform, had an FBI clearance and risked her future health around dangerous chemicals. Now read on.

According to Transportation Magazine, July 1943, women employees needed a “definite day-long schedule” so they’d keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. You know, like “how does this rivet go into the side of this destroyer?” might have been a frequent query from Rosie the Riveter.

Women also seemed to need to move from job to job during the day so they would be “less nervous.” As in “Hey, Mable, put down that hammer and come over here and help me move this bomber wing.”  Mable smiles.

I admit I like the admonition to never ridicule a woman as “it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.” A few modern bosses (male and female) could use that advice. And I do have to agree with giving every “girl” an adequate number of rest periods. As the guide says, “…you have to make allowances for feminine psychology.” Besides, “A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.” 

I’m also partial to the admonition about being tactful when giving instructions or making a criticism,” because “…women…can’t shrug off harsh words the way men do.” (Tell that to the guy sniffling in the corner because his wife just bawled him out.)

Of course, no one in 1943 argued about hiring “husky” girls because they were more “even tempered.” At least I imagine until you called them “husky” to their faces.

But my personal favorite is the tip which cautions that if you “…have to use older women, try to get the ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy.”

Damn right! Out of my way big boy! I’ve still got a long way to go.