Consider This from NPR BONUS: Workin' 9 To 5
Apr 18, 2021
Dive into the impactful world of '9 to 5,' where humor and serious themes of gender equality collide. Discover the real women who sparked the labor movement and inspired the iconic film. Reflect on the progress made since the 1970s and the ongoing battles for equal pay and workplace rights. Hear powerful stories of recognition and the struggles to be acknowledged in both industry and life. Experience the cultural ripple effect of the movie that resonated within grassroots movements and continues to inspire today's workforce.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Karen and Jane
- Karen Nussbaum, an activist, supported her activism with clerical work, a common job for women then.
- She teamed up with Jane Fonda to protest the Vietnam War, even hosting Fonda in her messy apartment.
9to5 Origins
- After the war, Nussbaum noticed casual sexism in her office job, inspiring her and colleagues to meet.
- Realizing similar discussions happened city-wide, they formed a formal labor organization called 9to5.
Early 9to5 Campaigns
- 9to5 initially focused on small issues like job postings but expanded nationally and achieved higher pay.
- They also used humor, creating contests for "pettiest office procedure" and "bad boss," highlighting absurd requests.