“Times Have Changed” – Dorothy’s Place
By Monrovia Weekly
Published: Friday, May 9th, 2008
Cleaning my files always provides me a wealth of opportunities to reminisce, to cry, to laugh, and to just simply count my blessings.
I found this little gem that someone sent me: A Guideline For Female Schoolteachers (1907).
1. Do not get married.
2. Do not leave town anytime without school board permission.
3. Do not keep company with men.
4. Be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
5. Do not smoke.
6. Do not loiter around in ice cream shops.
7. Do not dress in bright colors.
8. Do not dye your hair.
9. Do not wear any dress more than 2 inches above the ankle.
10. Do not get into any carriage with any man except your father or brother.
Kind of funny, huh? Now, are you ready for the next one?
Along with that guideline, I found the following from the “Teachers’ Handbook” I was given when I started my teaching position in California in 1964. It was written by a female principal, if that means anything.
A. Appropriate Dress for Teachers
1. Ladies
a. Extremes of dress, hairdo, etc, may tend to draw criticism and, therefore, should be avoided.
b. Since it is my responsibility to evaluate, in all fairness, you will need to know some of my feelings in this area.
Hose: It is permissible to be hoseless if (1) your legs are reasonably slender and hairless; (2) well fitting “peds” are worn with heelless or toeless shoes; (3) your legs are free of blemishes such as scars, broken veins, etc.
Hair: Excessively long hair worn “down” seems to me extreme and therefore to be avoided.
Dresses: Cottons are fine provided they do not have a “housedress” look (you are professional people). Sleeveless dresses are OK provided underarm hair is carefully removed.
Shoes: Shoes should be appropriate to your duties. Extremely high heels do not lend themselves to yard duty or P.E. Some types of sandals are in this class also. If you are a “high-heeler,” better keep a pair of “reasonable flats” in your cupboard for these times.
Girdles: If you need one, wear it.
Nails: There is a danger of scratching children inadvertently, if nails are excessively long. Paint them if you can keep them neat…if not, better avoid paint. Extremes of color are to be avoided for school time…that is, mother-of-pearl, silver, blue, etc.
2. Men: Conventional business shirts. Short sleeves are OK or sleeves rolled. Tie may be removed and neck opened during warm weather.
*****
Yeah, right. I think the poor dear has passed on by now, and it is probably just as well. Times have changed.
By Dorothy Denne
Leave a Reply
