INTRODUCTION

The changing role of women in our society has been well-documented, yet little has been written specifically about women who occupy top level positions in the field of leisure services. The editors of Illinois Parks and Recreation decided that such an article would be of timely interest at the beginning of the 1980s, especially since an ever-increasing number of young women are currently preparing for professional careers in the field.

Three leading leisure administrators, each representing a different type of service organization, were asked to frankly express their views on a number of questions relating to their own roles: whether or not being female affects how they are able to perform their jobs; others' perceptions of them; and what they see to be the special challenges to women entering the field.

Merle J. Cohn has been Director, Therapeutic Recreation Department, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, since 1970. Affiliated with the Illinois and National Therapeutic Recreation Societies, she was responsible for the formation of the department she now administers. Patti Roth, although admittedly "not an avid ERA supporter" nor "a vocal women's libber, " has "started to expect more of myself and other women in our profession. " She is Director of Recreation for the Glenview Park District. Kay Forest was hired by the Illinois Park and Recreation Society in 1973 as Executive Secretary. Now Executive Director of IPRA, she edited Illinois Parks and Recreation for six years.

Due to space limitations it is not possible to publish the full responses to each question.

IPR Magazine: Can you identify any special problems that you've experienced in reaching your present position that you feel occurred because you're a woman?

Roth: I remember 3 or 4 years ago feeling very "watched or observed" to see if I could or would succeed. As people advance and change positions, there are those who sit back and wait for you to prove yourself as a capable person. I know men are watched as well, but I feel women are observed with a keener and more critical eye. This whole process of proving oneself as a capable person seems to take longer for women.

Forest

Forest: I was originally hired seven years ago because I was a woman and the association could pay me a lesser salary than a male. However, I don't feel that I have had any special problems reaching my current position.

Cohn: I have not been able to identify any special problems in reaching my present position...This could in part be due to the fact that the health care services are predominantly female oriented until upper level administration/management positions...

IPR: Have you run into special problem situations with any of the people served by your organization, and if so, how have you handled them?

Forest: Five to six years ago, I experienced somewhat of a reluctance on the part of some Board members to listen to my ideas and accept my direction... Recently I have found that people are becoming less patronizing and are interested in what I have to say.

Cohn: ... I cannot recall any special problem situations with anyone served by the hospital where my being female created or escalated a conflict.

Roth: I'm sure most women have been challenged on their knowledge and abilities in areas which should normally be foreign to them—financial matters, anywhere from taxes to budgeting; sports, ranging from coaches to officials to seeding a tournament; and of course maintenance. It's most important to familiarize yourself well in these areas and to know what steps to follow to locate the correct information quickly. It takes some getting used to, to learn how to remain rational and calm when being challenged.

IPR: Do you ever feel that it's necessary for you to adopt more of a "hardboiled" image than you'd like in order to succeed at your job?

Cohn: Yes, I believe there are some situations where males often view a female in a traditional role and that this creates barriers to effective functioning. Some men appear to have difficulty in disagreeing or becoming angry about a work related issue. It seems that if a woman disagrees or becomes angry she is being "female" or "emotional" while with a male counterpart it would just be a work issue and dealt with in that manner.. .I think one might try to overcompensate and become hardboiled. This, in turn, leads to the stereotype of the agressive woman who will compete, manipulate and do whatever else is necessary to succeed. What I find disconcerting...is that women are often counseled to learn and adapt the male behaviors rather than efforts being made toward more effective individual function-

Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 January/February, 1980

Roth

ing... I have been fortunate to be involved in an agency that fosters, encourages and trains its employees in open methods of communication.

Roth: I certainly don't feel "hard-boiled" is the right phrase for my image, but I wouldn't be truthful if I didn't concede to developing some "pleasant assertiveness". I've had to learn that forcefulness and assertiveness are necessary elements of my job. Whether it be following a prescribed procedure or policy, training staff, or any number of things — it helps make my job easier, staff know what I expect, and it helps our division run smoother.

Forest: ... if it means being less emotional, the answer is yes. I can't point out any specific instances, but in the everyday job situation, I have learned to be more controlled and disciplined in my emotional reactions. In instances where people try to get you to back down from a position, it is sometimes necessary to take a harder stand on an issue.

IPR: Are there times or situations in which you feel being a female is an advantage to you in your job?

Roth: Being a female has probably helped me as many times as it has hindered me. I often think "if I were a man, I wouldn't have had that problem!" But then again I think "would my response or actions have been so readily accepted had I been a man?" When it gets right down to it, successes and failures do not hinge on being a man or woman; they really depend on doing things right or wrong.

Forest: ...the fact that men use less abusive language and conduct themselves with more gentlemanly behavior when a woman is present, leads to a more congenial informal atmosphere in which to conduct business. Men tend not to lose their temper around those of the opposite sex. Because of this, a woman's presence in a meeting is a definite advantage.

Cohn: Times or situations when being female seems to be an advantage are those where being sensitive, primarily to the work environment and/or climate, is looked upon in a positive way. This is not to be confused with being a "pushover" but rather in the sense that for females it is all right to be sensitive to, aware of and deal with a situation from that viewpoint.

IPR: To what extent, if any, do you feel that professional opportunities for women in the field of leisure services need to be expanded?

Forest... I do believe that women in parks and recreation are discriminated against both in type of position and salary. There are very few women as chief executives of park and recreation agencies in Illinois. The number of women recreation directors is increasing but not in proportion to the number in the field. Partial blame for this is due to women themselves. Many are not willing to make the extra sacrifices necessary for a top management position.

Cohn: ... I feel that if one is competent, capable, and persistent, whether male or female, that person will, in all probability, attain whatever professional opportunity is being sought. However...the range of opportunities in the field of leisure services itself needs to be expanded ... there is little or no room for upward mobility and this will cause therapeutic recreators to look to other professions to fulfill their career goals and objectives...

Roth: When I got my first job in this field nearly nine years ago, there were not many women in any type of position. During the last several years women have been able to secure more entry level and supervisory positions. But advancement to middle management and higher positions has been difficult to attain at best. In a nutshell—qualified women need to be considered equally with qualified men for any position, regardless of the administrative level. However, women need to realize they must become more assertive and be prepared to compete in a profession that has very limited opportunities for advancement.

IPR: What advice have you to give to young women entering the professional field today?

Cohn: My advice... is that the "world of work," the real world, is both fascinating and frustrating. Take the knowledge you have gained from your education, be aware of what is happening all around you and integrate all this information into your daily work. Become aware of a personal style of functioning that blends with your personal value systems and the operating methods of your employer in order to allow you to utilize your abilities to their fullest potential. After all, it is not that you are a woman, but that you are a skilled professional bringing your particular expertise to a given situation.

Cohn

Roth: First of all, make sure you're capable of the commitment that this profession requires and second of all, set your goals and work towards attaining them. Learn as much as you possibly can about management and business techniques without forgetting to be conscious of the leisure philosophy you are developing. Maintain involvement in our professional association

See Women's Role... Page 29

Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 January/February, 1980

Women's Role... From Page 5

at a level your job will allow and, most important, do not allow yourself to become stagnant or bored with what you are doing. Be willing to accept challenge and be challenged.

Forest: The advice I have for a young woman is the same that I have for a young man. Try to gain as much experience as possible in all areas of the field. Don't limit yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze those weak areas and try to take course work to improve your expertise in them. Be willing to work hard and long hours. My advice to a young woman who wishes a career, a marriage and a family is — it is hard but not impossible. It takes good organization of your work and your life, and an understanding husband and family.

SAPORA WILL DELIVER 1980 J.B. NASH LECTURE

Alien V. Sapora, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois, has been selected 1980 J.B. Nash Scholar by the American Association for Leisure and Recreation. The 1980 J.B. Nash Lecture, A View of the Past — A Bridge to the Future, will be presented by Dr. Sapora at the 95th anniversary convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) on April 13 in Detroit, Michigan, following a breakfast in his honor.

Several national, international, and state associations count Sapora as an active member, and he is particularly esteemed for his service to the Society for Park and Recreation Educators. He is internationally recognized for leadership in leisure and recreation, having conferred with other professionals in Belgium, Hungary, England, Russia, Japan, and South Africa.

FINANCIAL FORUM PLANNED

John Walsh, President of Citizen-Board Members Branch of NRPA, and Bill Enlow, President of the APRS branch, have announced that another Special C-BM/APRS Forum will be held in Bettendorf, Iowa, June 13-15, 1980. The theme for the 1980 forum will be "Bigger Bang for the Buck" - a look at dealing with the critical financial crisis facing local park and recreation agencies.

According to Walsh, "the Forum is another in a long line of successful meetings between park and recreation professionals and citizens and board members to discuss matters of mutual concern."

Enlow, who is Director of Parks and Recreation in Irving, TX, said that "the current financial crisis cannot be dealt with by professionals or board members acting in isolation from each other. I believe this forum will provide practical ideas that both the administrator and decision-maker can use in keeping parks and recreation at the high level of quality to which we aspire."

For further information on the Forum, contact Roger A. Lancaster, staff liaison, National Recreation & Park Association.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 29 January/February, 1980