Opportunities for Change
Women, like men have different aspirations and goals. As they age, they also reassess their jobs and job satisfaction. Society prescribed the roles of wives, mothers, and caregivers for women. Some women found extreme joy and fulfillment in such roles. They did not seek outside employment and their husbands' or families did not need them to engage in wage labor. Some women interviewed had the opportunity to care for their children during their early years and took that time to attend school or training programs. When their children entered school and no longer needed full- time care, these women had the option to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Melissa Takas stands next to the image of her grandfather, a coke plant worker for Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
Image courtesy of Nikki Marino.
Melissa Takas, a fifth- generation steel mill employee loved learning and wanted to excel in the mills. She pursued a master's degree in business administration and was promoted to Controlling Analyst.
Sara Gary, Nancy Peruzzi, Karen Satterfield, and Emily Nusser also enjoyed the opportunities their workplaces afforded them to learn new skills and improve their abilities on the job.
When possible and with staunch support from spouses and family, many women reconsidered their work options and changed careers. Such women entered or returned to the workforce in completely different roles. They found that such possibilities created a significantly higher satisfaction rate and contributed to their families' overall happiness.
Judge Carla Baldwin, Youngstown Municipal Court.
Photo courtesy of Ohio Memory, in The Reporter (Akron) 2018-01-06 https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/ p16007coll68/id/27021/rec/1 (accessed 8-12-2023)
Angela McConnell pursues higher education to enter a career in counseling. Her ultimate goal is to help those in her community. She balances being a wife and full-time worker with spending time with her adult children, their spouses, and her grandchildren.
June Lucas served in the Ohio House of Representatives from Trumbull County from 1986-2000. She liked the work of politics and found that she was treated fairly by other politicians.
Photo courtesy of https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/museum/ ladies-gallery/june-lucas