Inch by Inch

Abstract

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was influential in leveling the playing field for women. More than the actual protections afforded by the act itself, it triggered subsequent laws that collectively have lessened the pay gap, provided protections from harassment, and increased opportunities for women to participate in education, sports, and workplace opportunities that were previously reserved for men. However, the pace at which these changes have occurred has extended over generations, and the goal of parity has yet to be reached. This article traces legislation that has helped women advance in the workplace and concludes by arguing for the expansion of how gender is conceptualized. Rather than the dichotomous male/female view, gender equity should embrace fairness for all, wherever they fall on the continuum from masculine to feminine.

Women in Public Administration: An Integrative Review

“…However, Johnson and Crum-Cano (2011) posited a residual glass wall for female urban planners seeking transportation positions. Guy and Fenley (2014) summed up with the phrase "inch by inch" to denote steady improvement since 1964 without achieving parity. Towards the end of the decade Breslin, Pandey, and Riccucci (2017) noted a lack of intersectional research in leadership studies, a call for enlarging the attention on analyzing the experiences of people who identify with multiple marginalized social categories.…”