February 17, 2010
A work colleague of mine was prompted to respond, today, to a recent 60 & Single posting, which included a note of encouragement from a former workmate of mine named Don. Here's what she had to say:
Hello Julia, ...regarding the recent 60 & Single note of encouragement and advice for your pending retirement from Don, a former Columbian colleague: At the time he made his decision to retire, Don had a condo (paid for), a beach house (paid for), and a nest egg that "could provide an acceptable income for 28 years, without factoring in Social Security or any interest from the investments" he'd made... all by the age of 59! How wonderful! What's not to like about that kind of payoff to his dedicated investing? Good for Don! Whilst reading his note, though, an old beast inside of me stirred. And growled. Once full of can-do feminist ambition and resolve to make a difference in the glass ceiling, this beast has, over time, become a resentful beast... and a weary beast. This beast has a name, and that name is "Youstillaren'tworthasmuchasheis". Have my baby boomer dreams of job fulfillment been realized? There was a time or two that I might have answered, "almost", but the professional stature attained was usually indicative more by title than by comparative simoleons to what my male counterparts in trade were being paid. Hence, I have neither a second home nor a long-lasting cash cow residing in my current retirement portfolio... and I am now closer to the age of 59 than I ever thought I'd be. On Sunday, February 14, 2010, you addressed this very issue in your article (in the print Columbian newspaper) titled:"Finding the cracks in glass ceiling" "Who's to blame: Men because they have a secret gender bias, or women, because we discount our own abilities?" As I enter the final stretch of my long career in the private sector, I wonder how our younger generations will address these tired, old stigmas that continue to hinder pay parity in the workplace. Has today's mature female work force proven themselves enough to pass on the torch for equality? I sometimes fall behind on the issue while I take care of the daily career tasks at hand... it's so easy to become distracted. Isn't it? On a lighter note, congratulations to you -- no matter how anxious or scared you might be feeling about the issue of your... new life transition. You've made it to the crossover point, Julia! I like my widget dictionary's definition of crossover as "the process of achieving success in a different field or style, especially in ( you get to fill in the blank, here )". You are the classy dame who's always walked The Columbian halls with her chin up, her gaze direct, and her candor calling the shots. You, Julia, are certainly not one to just sit around and rot, right? Best wishes for an awesome retirement, Nancy
Thanks, Nancy. --- Julia
