I went to college in Santa Barbara, then moved back and lived there for ten years in the 70’s. I worked at the Santa Barbara News Press in the display ad department. I asked to work in the back where they set the type, but was told it was men only. I asked if there was any way I could get promoted, and they said I could be an executive secretary but only if I had my hair and nails done every week and wore makeup. Needless to say, I didn’t make it my career.

That kind of shit was probably standard back then. It’s amazing, and certainly heartening how much things have changed. But it’s been a battle every step of the way.