Condition of the Universe

I have a close friend that recently gave me some advice as I lamented what I thought was going to happen to a student, “Don’t say that. Once you do, the universe gets a hold of it and it will happen. Only release thoughts that you want to see come to fruition.” She continued to explain the idea of the universe having just so much energy to use and it should not be wasted on negative actions. Please understand that my friend is an elementary teacher and fuzzy logic is used daily with youngsters under the age of 10. 

Since she gave me that advice, I have pondered what to say and how to express myself without upsetting the balance of the universe. I do understand that for every action there is an equal reaction. I have put quite a bit out there for the universe to ponder and act on over the years. Maybe I am over my limit?

Yesterday, I attended a webinar sponsored by the National Women’s Law Center entitled, Career and Technical Education Programs for High-Wage, High-Skill Jobs. I am pushing for all students to become better prepared in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas. Their survival in our changing economy depends on it. OK, universe, I understand and I am working on it!

Unfortunately for me, the webinar pointed out that pay equity is still not happening for women, regardless of their preparation. Therefore, I would like the universe, and everyone in it-especially those guiding our legislative efforts, to take care of pay equity for women. OK. I said it and I am awaiting the solution. Just in case we have a little lag time waiting on the universe, I will explain the personal history of my position on pay equity to you.

When I entered the job market with degrees in hand, I did my homework. I examined pay scales, job duties, coaching salaries, extra-curricular activity salaries, and any other ways for me to legally add to my take-home pay. I was hired as an English teacher in a district that has a great system of preparing students. I loved my job, the community, and the students. At the end of my first year, I met with the superintendent and I expressed my joy of teaching in the district and my disappointment that my coaching pay, my teaching salary, and my play advisor pay were not a little higher. I was told that I should be happy with what I made, that as a woman I didn’t need much, that I should live at home with my parents, and that I would be getting married and probably not work anymore anyhow.

I left that district. I moved on to another where I became the guidance counselor. I remember the discussion with the board members about salary. Harry, a math teacher, and I were hired at the same time. Harry, had one year of experience and I had 2. Harry was to coach girls basketball. I was not coaching. I had my M.Ed. Harry did not. Harry’s salary was to be $1,900 more than mine. Take it or leave it was the answer to my objection about years of experience and degree completion. So, I took it. I would enter on step one as a teacher with no classroom experience. It was still an increase over my last job. Maybe I should talk to the universe about my slow learning and not about pay equity!

There is a bill presently being constructed in DC that addresses pay equity. Women earn 77 cents on the dollar that men earn. The traditional low pay for “women’s work” and the lack of STEM preparation are big factors in pay inequity. I can only imagine the difficulty addressing this issue based on my own limited experiences, but it is definitely time to do so. Perhaps men don’t understand the need for it because inequitable pay and the attitudes surrounding it never happened to them simply because they are a male.

Please do all of the women in your life a favor. Talk about the importance of pay equity. Talk about the importance of education in STEM coursework. Talk to the universe and start the energy flowing!