A voice for working women returns

It dawned on me today that I have been earning a paycheck for 30 years.

In early 1978 — at age 15 — I filled out my first application and accepted a job at the new Dairy Queen at Metro North Mall. I became a “DQ Girl,” pulling my hair under a kerchief and serving Peanut Butter Parfaits and other treats with a smile. I was so proud to wear that bright red plaid uniform.

Over the next few years, I also surveyed strangers at the mall, packed parts in a warehouse, ran the cash register at the university bookstore and filled in as a Kelly Girl at various offices around town.

Then after college graduation it was on to full-time journalism jobs and responsibilities. For many of those years I worked part time or as a freelancer. But other than a few weeks of maternity leave, I always worked.

And I have always loved it.

Not every day, mind you. Not on the days when my children were sick and I had to scramble for help. Not on the days when I was called “honey” by some supervisor or denied opportunities I thought I had earned.

And especially not on the days when I could not seem to find my voice. When I let flexibility and equality issues become burdens rather than opportunities. When I stepped back rather than forward.

There have been too many of those days.

And that’s why I return with this column. You may remember that I wrote a “Her Voice” column several years ago. But when we redesigned The Star in 2005, I found myself swamped with additional editing duties and concerns and so I stepped back.

Now I’m stepping forward to try again. I am honored to have the opportunity to share the stories of Kansas City’s working women. Not as an expert but as a fellow participant.

Please look for this column online every two weeks. Let me know what issues you would like to see explored. And share your stories too — bright red uniforms and all.

To reach Donna Vestal, send e-mail to dvestal@kcstar.com or call 816-234-4881.