Breaking the Mold: Misogyny and the Undervaluation of Administrative Professionals

In a world where power and prestige often follow male pursuits, the administrative profession has been both essential and dismissed, shaped by gender biases that continue to influence how the role is perceived today. For centuries, this field has evolved from its origins as a respected position of trust to one marked by stereotypes and systemic devaluation, particularly as women became the primary workforce in the profession.

From Power to Paperwork: A Brief History

The term “secretary” comes from the Latin *secretarius*, meaning “confidential officer” (Exceptional Admins, 2023). For much of history, these roles were filled by men entrusted with sensitive information. This is where the phrase I use, “We need to keep the secret in secretary,” becomes relevant when I discuss cybersecurity.

In Ancient Egypt, scribes served the pharaohs as advisors, record-keepers, and confidants. These scribes were so valued that one became a god, Thoth. While in Ancient Rome, notarii managed documents for officials. Even into the Renaissance, notable men such as Niccolò Machiavelli held secretarial posts, advising rulers and managing their affairs (Exceptional Admins, 2023). Some of history’s most prominent advisors carried the title “secretary.” Even today, the U.S. government’s presidential cabinet is filled by the president’s secretaries.

However, the Industrial Revolution brought change. As businesses grew and paperwork demands increased, women began entering clerical roles—once prestigious, male-dominated positions. By the late 19th century, the role of the secretary was increasingly feminized as women proved capable of handling clerical tasks, boosted by the introduction of new technologies like the typewriter (Exceptional Admins, 2023). This automation in the office helped reinforce that women were inferior to men because women only joined the workforce. After all, the machines made the tasks easier and streamlined, such as taking dictation and filing.

These shifts also paralleled the societal ideology of Republican Motherhood, which perpetuated the notion that a woman’s primary role was to shape moral sons, subtly reinforcing the idea that women belonged at home. This view has roots in misogyny, fueling a narrative that a woman in the office is only seeking a husband, seen as a threat to the ideal Republican mother (Kerber, 1976).

The Turning Point: World War II and Feminization

During World War II, as men were conscripted into service, many office jobs were unfilled, creating a pivotal moment for women in the workforce. Women stepped into these roles and kept businesses running; the stage was set for a gender shift to reshape the profession. Despite their success during the war, after its conclusion, women were funneled back into secretarial roles defined during the Industrial Revolution, now firmly associated with feminine subordination. Once a stepping stone to higher positions for men, the job became a static role for women—a pattern that would persist for decades (Exceptional Admins, 2023).

This shift in gender also brought stereotypes. Women in secretarial roles were often reduced to the “office wife” trope, depicted as dependent on male bosses with romantic ambitions taking precedence over professional ones (Speakers You Need, 2023). By the 1970s, the stigma attached to the word “secretary” had become so pervasive that, in 2000, “Professional Secretaries Week” was renamed “Administrative Professionals Week” to reflect the broader scope of responsibilities and to challenge harmful perceptions (Exceptional Admins, 2023).

Stereotypes and Misogyny: The “Gold Digger” Myth

As more women entered secretarial roles, the profession became entangled in the “gold digger” stereotype—portraying women as opportunists seeking financial security by marrying their wealthy male bosses (Time, 2015). This stereotype harmed individual reputations and undermined the profession’s credibility as a whole. The assumption that women were in secretarial roles for personal gain perpetuated harmful misogynistic attitudes, further distancing women from career growth opportunities. It fueled the rhetoric of virtuous housewives versus working women, painting the latter as threats to traditional family values (Time, 2015).

Just as upper-class women in college were seen as earning the “MRS degree,” lower-class women in secretarial roles were viewed as trying to “steal” scarce male resources. This objectification, prevalent in media depictions of secretaries as either femme fatales or helpless subordinates, only exacerbated women’s challenges in seeking professional advancement (Exceptional Admins, 2023; Speakers You Need, 2023).

A Path to Rebranding and Redemption

Despite these setbacks, the administrative profession has always been resilient. The Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970s catalyzed significant change. For more information, please check out Jessica McBride and her discussions on the 9-to-5 Movement. Women in secretarial roles began demanding more respect and opportunities for career progression. These efforts, combined with technological advancements and the diversification of responsibilities, allowed the profession to start shedding its “pink-collar” stigma. Today’s administrative professionals manage complex tasks, utilize sophisticated software, and play pivotal roles in their organizations, often acting as project managers, office executives, and team leaders (Successories, 2023).

Yet, despite progress, old stereotypes remain. The feminization of the role still affects its perceived value in many workplaces, where administrative professionals, especially women, struggle for recognition. Many organizations continue to undervalue administrative skills, attributing them to gender rather than expertise. The ongoing association of administrative work with women reinforces outdated ideas about gender and status in the workplace (RSF Journal, 2023).

Looking Forward: Rewriting the Narrative

As the administrative profession continues to evolve, the focus must remain on professionalization, skill development, and dismantling harmful stereotypes. Organizations must recognize administrative professionals’ critical roles and ensure these roles become pathways to leadership and career growth. Administrative professionals are not simply supporting cast members in organizations; they are essential connectors across teams, divisions, and departments. Their strategic insight and adaptability are critical to organizational success.

The administrative profession has always been more than the stereotypes imposed upon it. It is time to honor the expertise, adaptability, and strategic insight that administrative professionals—regardless of gender—bring.

Citations:

– Exceptional Admins. (2023). Executive Assistant Professional Development: Secretary Profession History. Retrieved from https://www.exceptionaladmins.com/executive-assistant-professional-development/secretary-profession-history  

– Kerber, L. K. (1976). Republican Motherhood.  

– Speakers You Need. (2023). Admin Before Mad Men: A Brief History of the Administrative Assistant.  

– Successories. (2023). History of Administrative Professionals Day.  

– Time. (2015). Administrative Professionals History.  

– RSF Journal. (2023). The Feminization of Secretarial Roles.

For more in-depth reading:

Bibliography

Exceptional Admins. (2023). Executive Assistant Professional Development: Secretary Profession History. Retrieved from https://www.exceptionaladmins.com/executive-assistant-professional-development/secretary-profession-history

Kerber, L. K. (1976). Republican Motherhood. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_motherhood

National Day Calendar. (2023). National Administrative Professionals Day. Retrieved from https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-administrative-professionals-day-wednesday-of-last-full-week-in-april

Pellerin, T. (1957). Secretarial Work and the Women’s Army Corps. Retrieved from https://scholarshare.temple.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12613/2129/Pellerin_temple_0225E_10743.pdf

RSF Journal. (2023). The Feminization of Secretarial Roles. Retrieved from https://www.rsfjournal.org/content/8/7/28

Speakers You Need. (2023). Admin Before Mad Men: A Brief History of the Administrative Assistant. Retrieved from https://speakersyouneed.com/admin-before-mad-men-a-brief-history-of-the-administrative-assistant/

Successories. (2023). History of Administrative Professionals Day. Retrieved from https://www.successories.com/articles/history-of-administrative-professionals-day

Time. (2015). The History of Administrative Professionals. Retrieved from https://time.com/3821403/administrative-professionals-history/

U.S. History. (2023). The Rise of Republican Motherhood. Retrieved from http://ushistory.org/us/12d.asp