ABSTRACT
This chapter examines three major groups of white-collar female workers: low-level clerical workers; management/upper-level clerical workers; and professionals. The cultural improvement programs assumed by women’s organizations like the Women’s Division characterized the popular notion of female civicism during the 1920s and 1930s. Women have been naturally idealistic and always will be, but the difference between their present and past idealism lies in the fact that it is more far-reaching, extending to the interests of their neighbors and the community at large. Female clerical employment experienced dramatic growth in the 1920s, and many employers sought women with rudimentary educations to fill the lowest-ranked office positions. Many of the professional clubs, which excluded female clerical and retail sales workers, described themselves primarily as service clubs and secondarily as professional organizations. The Atlanta club membership was diverse, but the most stable members were predominantly upper-level clerical workers, managers, or professionals.
