This is the 61st in a collection of newspaper ads written by Harry Gray, then CEO of United Technologies, that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Here is the text from that ad.
It involves
taste,
fashion,
decorating,
recreation,
education,
transportation,
psychology,
romance,
cuisine,
designing,
literature,
medicine,
handicraft,
art,
horticulture,
economics,
government,
community relations,
pediatrics,
geriatrics,
entertainment,
maintenance,
purchasing,
direct mail,
law,
accounting,
religion,
energy,
and management.
Anyone who can handle all those has to be somebody special.
She is.
She’s a homemaker.
As noted above, this ad appeared in the Wall Street Journal sometime in the late 1970s, early 1980s.
There’s a lot of assumptions in the ad, the primary one that a woman is the homemaker, and responsible for all of the items listed. That’s a tall order for anyone.
I don’t think anyone would disagree that today’s world, particularly in terms of careers, social dynamics, and family life, is quite different than it was 35 years ago.
I wonder what the reaction would be if such an ad appeared in today’s paper?
Would there be a boycott of United Technologies? Would people call for Harry Gray’s resignation? Would people use the ad to push for a return to what life was like back then? Would women be insulted? Would men be insulted? Would creative people be insulted?
Who knows, perhaps back when the ad was first released there may have been complaints about it.
All I can assume is that when Harry Gray first wrote the ad, he did it with good intentions. He was offering praise and gratitude to women who were labeled as “homemakers”. I do not think he was trying to belittle anyone.
So yes, while the ad may seem a little dated, I think the message is timeless.
We need to treat all people with kindness, respect, and gratitude for what they do.
And try not to be so easily offended…
Borden's Blather 