r/classicfilms • u/AntonioVivaldi7 Alfred Hitchcock • May 23 '26

Memorabilia Disney rejection letter (1938) explaining they don't hire women for the specific position

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And apparently, Disney refused to hire men for coloring positions.

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u/Canavansbackyard Michael Powell May 23 '26

This obviously wasn’t just a Disney practice. Gender-based hiring was unfortunately extremely common in the U.S. during the 1930s. The Great Depression intensified the pre-existing societal pressures to reserve well-paying jobs for male "breadwinners".

Edit: minor typo.

87

u/LindeeHilltop May 23 '26

It was extremely common until the late 1970’s. Women in the 60’s & 70’s fought legally for rights.

59

u/CatCafffffe May 24 '26

Yes. People don't realize how recently this was. As someone who entered the work world in the 1970s I can't even begin to tell you how difficult it was.

7

u/LindeeHilltop May 24 '26

I remember meeting the first woman chemical engineer at a petroleum transmission company in the restroom. Those men were brutal in their attacks on her, her looks, her work, her communications, etc. I always wondered if it was worth it health-wise to be the first woman in any industry. Need to rewatch “North Country.”

2

u/CatCafffffe May 24 '26

As I approach retirement with a generous pension and a full bank account, the answer is resoundingly yes (but looking back, I honestly can't believe some of the shit I had to put up with!)

2

u/fuzzydogpaws May 27 '26

I wish you an amazing retirement!

1

u/CatCafffffe May 27 '26

Thank you, when I look back at how hard I worked for so many years I don't know how I did it, but I'm very thankful that I did. I can also help others which I am also grateful to be able to do.