Women Designers You Should Know: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Extra Sketches: The Oppression of Women
Host: Amber Asay
Release Date: December 3, 2024

In this compelling bonus episode of Women Designers You Should Know, host and designer Amber Asay takes a profound departure from the podcast's usual focus on individual women designers. Instead, she delves into the systemic oppression that has historically hindered women's progress and continues to impede their advancement today. Amber meticulously explores the myriad ways society has boxed women in, rendering them invisible and stifling their potential. This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles women face and the importance of recognizing and dismantling these barriers.

Contextual Overview

Amber opens the episode by setting the stage for a broader discussion on the systemic forces that have historically oppressed women. She emphasizes the need to revisit these conversations, noting that despite decades of discourse, progress often feels stagnant, with setbacks frequently overshadowing advancements. Amber highlights recent events, such as the election's impact on perceptions of Kamala Harris's support and the release of a Netflix documentary on Martha Stewart's 2004 trial, to illustrate how gender biases persistently influence societal treatment of successful women.

Seven Forms of Oppression

Amber identifies and elaborates on seven distinct ways society has systematically oppressed women. Each point is backed by historical context and contemporary statistics, underscoring the pervasive nature of these issues.

1. Banking and Financial Independence

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   Amber begins by addressing the control of finances as a fundamental means of exerting power over women. She recounts that until the 1970s in the United States, women were legally barred from opening bank accounts or obtaining credit cards without a male co-signer. This financial dependency extended to business loans, mortgages, and student loans, effectively stifling women's entrepreneurial endeavors and personal financial growth. Amber cites a 2023 study revealing that only 2% of venture capital funding went to female founders, highlighting the enduring nature of financial sexism.

   "Time magazine once called this financial sexism at its most blatant." – Amber Asay [00:03:XX]

2. Voting Rights

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   The episode traces the struggle for women's suffrage, noting that American women attained the right to vote in 1920 with the 19th Amendment. However, Amber points out that Black women in the southern United States remained disenfranchised until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. She extends this discussion globally, mentioning that Switzerland granted women voting rights only in 1971 and Saudi Arabia in 2015, underscoring the delayed and uneven progress in gender equality worldwide.

   "Globally, Switzerland didn't give women the right to vote until 1971, Saudi Arabia in 2015." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

3. Property Rights

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   Amber explores the concept of property rights, explaining how, in the 1800s, women who inherited property would lose ownership upon marriage due to laws like coverture (mistakenly referred to as "COVID law" in the transcript). These laws stripped women of their legal identities, preventing them from signing contracts, suing, or retaining their wages. This legal erasure reinforced the notion that women were subordinate to their husbands and lacked autonomy.

   "It was basically like society saying, you don't need rights, you have a husband." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

4. Marriage Bars and Career Constraints

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   Moving into the 20th century, Amber discusses "marriage bars," policies that mandated women to resign from their jobs upon getting married. She notes that even during World War II, when women temporarily entered the workforce in large numbers, these restrictions were swiftly reinstated post-war. This forced exit from professional roles underscored the belief that women's primary role was domestic, limiting their career opportunities and advancement.

   "Even in the '40s and '50s, during World War II, a lot of women entered the workforce, temporarily lifting marriage bars." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

5. Education

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   Education has long been a battleground for gender equality. Amber highlights that Ivy League institutions only began admitting female undergraduates in the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to this, women were funneled into "acceptable" majors such as teaching and home economics, effectively discouraging their participation in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). A 2022 study further reveals that women in science face significant barriers, including being overlooked for promotions and receiving less grant funding.

   "Ivy League schools didn't admit women as undergraduates until the '60s and '70s." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

6. Media Stereotypes and Pop Culture

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   Amber critiques the portrayal of women in media and popular culture, where they are often depicted as housewives, secretaries, or damsels in distress. Even when women are shown as successful, they are frequently portrayed as unfulfilled, reinforcing the stereotype that women cannot achieve both professional success and personal happiness simultaneously. These narratives not only reflect societal biases but also perpetuate them, reinforcing the idea that women belong in supporting roles rather than leadership positions.

   "When media consistently shows women as secondary characters, it reinforces the idea that women belong in the background." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

7. Sexual Harassment and Workplace Discrimination

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   The final point addresses the pervasive issue of sexual harassment and workplace discrimination. Prior to the late 1970s, sexual harassment was neither recognized nor addressed, leaving women vulnerable with little recourse. Although workplace protections began to emerge in 1986, harassment remains rampant. Amber cites a 2021 report indicating that nearly 60% of women have experienced some form of harassment at work, underscoring the urgent need for continued efforts to create safe and equitable work environments.

   "According to a 2021 report, nearly 60% of women have experienced some form of harassment at work." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

Resistance and Hope

Despite the extensive and persistent barriers outlined, Amber emphasizes the resilience and resistance of women throughout history. She celebrates the countless women who have organized, protested, and advocated for their rights, creating a foundation for future generations to build upon. Amber underscores that while systemic change is slow, every act of defiance against oppressive norms contributes to the gradual dismantling of these barriers.

Notable Quotes

• Gloria Steinem:

  "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

• Maya Angelou:

  "Each time a woman stands up for herself without knowing it, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

These quotes encapsulate the emotional and motivational underpinnings of the fight for gender equality, highlighting both the frustration and the hope that fuel ongoing efforts for change.

Conclusion

Amber Asay concludes the episode with a powerful call to action, urging listeners to participate in the continued fight for gender equality. She emphasizes that every individual's efforts—whether by speaking up, demanding equality, or supporting other women—are integral to fostering systemic change. Amber envisions a future where the metaphorical glass ceiling shatters, allowing women to rise without restraint and be rightfully recognized in history.

"The glass ceiling might still exist, but the cracks are getting bigger, and someday soon it's going to shatter." – Amber Asay [00:XX:XX]

By celebrating the resilience and achievements of women designers and acknowledging the systemic obstacles they face, Amber Asay's episode serves as both an informative and inspiring testament to the ongoing journey toward gender equality in design and beyond.

Call to Action:
Amber encourages listeners to share the episode, leave reviews, and continue the conversation on platforms like Spotify. She emphasizes the collective role everyone plays in redesigning history by celebrating and supporting women.

Final Thought:
“Let this be our collective fuel. Not just anger at what it's been, but hope for what's possible.” – Amber Asay

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Amber Asay's insightful exploration of the systemic oppression of women, highlighting historical context, current challenges, and the unwavering spirit of resistance and hope that drives the fight for equality.