Rose Totino was a pioneer, a true innovator and leader. This is amazing given the culture and era that she was a part of coupled with her gender and ethnicity. Totino along with the many other women of her time truly made it possible for women today to be able to have the rights they have. Women have come a long way but it is important to remember there is still work to do. While there have been many inventions created to make cooking, cleaning, and other daily tasks easier for women, the true goal would be for these things to no longer be seen as “women’s work”. That is still an idea that permeates our society. We can see it in our culture today simply by turning on the television set. Women are still the “stars” of commercials advertising cleaning products and washer machines. Although Rose Totino made her way up the ladder of the business world, women still make less than men and many still feel that glass ceiling. Women who are working full time jobs are still making up to 17% less than men according to the Women’s Work Commission (Education Journal 2006). There has been a shift but we have work to do. I believe through awareness of the issue and through courses as this that bring to light the many brilliant women who have always been a part of our culture and their amazing contributions to society.
