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Friday, 01 October 2010

The Interview

By Ann Favreau

In 1958 I was 21, a college senior, a virgin and terribly naive. I didn’t smoke, drink, swear and couldn’t tell a dirty joke if my life depended on it. I thought about sex but I certainly didn’t talk about it.

It was the custom at the college that the area superintendents of schools would visit classrooms to observe student teachers and pick the cream of the crop to offer them jobs. I was delighted to be singled out and asked to appear for an interview the following week.

Dressed in my prim and proper navy suit complete with white blouse, black leather pumps and a matching bag, I entered the superintendent’s office. He sat behind his huge desk and reviewed my transcript and recommendations. As he told me about a first-grade teaching assignment in one of the newer schools, I beamed.

“Well, Miss Zucco,” he said, “I see that you have a shiny diamond engagement ring on your finger. When will you be married?”

I happily responded that June 21 was the date, the week after graduation.

He continued. “In offering you this position, we need some assurances that you will be with us for an extended time. What kind of birth control do you plan to use?”

My heart stopped. My brain froze. My hands shook. Embarrassment colored my face. From somewhere deep inside the words poured out. “Sir, that is a personal decision and none of your business!”

I stood up, grabbed my purse and walked out of the room. The tears pricked the corners of my eyes. By the time I reached the car, I was sobbing. I knew that my dream job opportunity was lost forever.

Two days later I received a letter from the superintendent’s office. It was a contract!


[INVITATION: All elders, 50 and older, are welcome to submit stories for this blog. They can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, etc. Instructions for submitting are here.]

Posted by Ronni Bennett at 05:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post

Comments

Great stuff.

Ann - Neat story!

You sure knocked that superintendent off his pedestal.

It pays to stick to your principles. I'm glad that the job was yours.

Too bad young women don't read this post, so they could say thank you to you for helping forge the way for them not to have to endure those questions now! You were a pioneer, scared or not!

I'm amazed at your courage. That was exactly my era and I know I would have folded completely if asked that question by a male interviewer. Hats off to you!!

I'm wondering how the job went after that. In my early years as a teacher, I had several male principals who were just about that stupid.

I admire your courage, too. These were such taboo subjects at that time. What a thing to be dropped from such a height of anticipation! Thank you for sharing this story.

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