How Real Working Women of the 1960's Survived Living in a 'Mad Men' World

Peggy Olson is the feisty, hard working, and sole female copywriter on AMC's hit show Mad Men. But before there was Peggy, there was Letty Cottin Pogrebin, co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus and author of "How to Make It in a Man's World."

Pogrebin worked at a small publishing house in the 1960s, "commuting to work on a motor scooter, impeccable in kitten heels and gloves," according to aprofile in the New York Times

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Pogrebin describes how she survived as a woman in a man's world back in the Mad Men era.

"Mostly it was the sexual stuff," she said of her experiences. "I could actually start sweating at the thought of it. At a conference, I didn't just have to pay attention to the work, but how do I stay out of this one's room and stay out of the elevator with that one." Pogrebin said her survival method was, "Flatter and escape. That was the rule ... Flatter and escape."

She also worked around the male hierarchy by planning ahead for possibly difficult situations. "Rather than risk embarrassing the men she met for work lunches by picking up the check, she kept running accounts at various restaurants," reports the Times

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Remembering realities like "we got titles and not the salary" when it came to job promotions, the prevalent sexism in Mad Men is all too familiar to Pogrebin. She said that in some ways, watching the show is "like looking at home movies and remembering the worst parts of your childhood."

However, despite the many challenges in her path, Pogrebin's "How to Make It in a Man's World" was a 1970 best seller. She eventually became a "professional feminist," co-founder of Ms. magazine, and had three children, proving that surviving and thriving was possible.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-issues-articles/how-real-working-women-of-the-1960s-survived-living-in-a-mad-men-world-3514496.html

Corynne Steindler is the editorial director of <a href="http://www.thesurvivorsclub.org">The Survivors Club </a>and works to shed light on those who are surviving and overcoming adversity.