Karen, in all the transcriptions I've done, male teachers did marry, have a family, and still taught school after they married. Reading between the lines and making assumptions, it was believed that a teacher should be totally dedicated and direct his/her entire focus to the profession. Evidently (remember the mindset of society at this time), it was believed that women could not divide her dedication and focus between a career AND a family. Guess our ancestors didn't recognize a woman's multi-tasking skills? To carry this thought one step further, remember the old saying? "Man's work is from sun to sun. Woman's work is never done." Which was totally true during this era. At the same time [1880's-1890's), some women were recognized as spiritual leaders with some of the little country churches. Some of tour ancestors were descendants of Quakers who have historically recognized women within their congregations. In some of Ringgold County's obituaries, which I've been transcribing, Sister Zike worked tirelessly in rivial meetings. She also officiated at many funerals. "Sister ZIKES (sic) lending a helping hand in singing and prayer." "The funeral services were conducted by Mr. THARP and Sister ZIKE at the M. E. church at Benton. . ." As far as I can tell, Sister Zike was a spinster. Many a Ringgold County resident credited Sister Zike's role in their conversion to Christianity. Sister Zike's name has been mentioned with not only the Methodist Episcopal churches in the county, but with the Baptist Churches, too. Sharon R. Becker Ringgold County IAGenWeb Coordinator srbecker@iowatelecom.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Conroy" <karen.conroy@virgin.net> To: "donkelly" <ocollaugh@comcast.net>; "Linda Ziemann" <lin.ziemann@verizon.net> Cc: <IOWA@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 2:36 PM Subject: Re: [IOWA] School teachers can not marry each other. > Did the contracts say men couldn't marry as well? Karen
My cousin-in-law (now 60) was fired from teaching (Catholic school) once it became apparent she was pregnant at the time of her wedding. I'm not a teacher, but I remember wearing (in 1969) white gloves while interviewing for office work - knowing that if my diamond were seen I wouldn't get hired. I got the job, got married, but a year later, they suspected I was pregnant (they did this to all the women) so they put me filing 8 hours a day in hopes I would quit. It worked. Ellen -----Original Message----- From: iowa-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:iowa-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Sharon Becker Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 4:51 PM To: iowa@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IOWA] School teachers can not marry each other. Karen, in all the transcriptions I've done, male teachers did marry, have a family, and still taught school after they married. Reading between the lines and making assumptions, it was believed that a teacher should be totally dedicated and direct his/her entire focus to the profession. Evidently (remember the mindset of society at this time), it was believed that women could not divide her dedication and focus between a career AND a family. Guess our ancestors didn't recognize a woman's multi-tasking skills? To carry this thought one step further, remember the old saying? "Man's work is from sun to sun. Woman's work is never done." Which was totally true during this era. At the same time [1880's-1890's), some women were recognized as spiritual leaders with some of the little country churches. Some of tour ancestors were descendants of Quakers who have historically recognized women within their congregations. In some of Ringgold County's obituaries, which I've been transcribing, Sister Zike worked tirelessly in rivial meetings. She also officiated at many funerals. "Sister ZIKES (sic) lending a helping hand in singing and prayer." "The funeral services were conducted by Mr. THARP and Sister ZIKE at the M. E. church at Benton. . ." As far as I can tell, Sister Zike was a spinster. Many a Ringgold County resident credited Sister Zike's role in their conversion to Christianity. Sister Zike's name has been mentioned with not only the Methodist Episcopal churches in the county, but with the Baptist Churches, too. Sharon R. Becker Ringgold County IAGenWeb Coordinator srbecker@iowatelecom.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Conroy" <karen.conroy@virgin.net> To: "donkelly" <ocollaugh@comcast.net>; "Linda Ziemann" <lin.ziemann@verizon.net> Cc: <IOWA@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 2:36 PM Subject: Re: [IOWA] School teachers can not marry each other. > Did the contracts say men couldn't marry as well? Karen _____________________________________________ For additional information concerning how the list works, how to sub and unsub and list rules, visit http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~richard/ialist/ _____________________________________________ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IOWA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message