There was a time when I wore a pantsuit to an interview, and a panel of seasoned law partners expressed relief at my lack of a wedding ring. To them, it signified that I wouldn’t abandon my career for motherhood. I donned a pantsuit when an aged judge reminisced about the remarkable success of his male clerks, while the lone female clerk was merely “adorable,” just like me.
I wore a pantsuit to the Virginia bar exam, even in defiance of the dress code that favored skirts. I walked into court wearing a pantsuit when a client, in a moment of shocking candor, insisted on firing me because, as a woman, he believed I was too emotional to defend him against charges of attempting to kill his wife in a so-called honor killing.
Every day I arrived at work for the federal government in my pantsuit, I faced the reality of earning 20% less than my male colleagues, who were far less qualified than I. I wore a pantsuit when a high-ranking government official intimated that I could have simply married well to avoid being present in the room. It was the same suit I wore when my boss claimed he never had childcare problems because his wife was wise enough to stay home.
I’ve worn a pantsuit each time I’ve been mistaken for a court reporter, a secretary, or a social worker. I’ve donned it whenever I’ve been asked to fetch coffee during depositions or settlement conferences. And now, I’m heading to the library with my husband and our two daughters to cast our vote for a woman who has faced all these challenges while proudly wearing her own pantsuit. We will fill out our ballots with joy and pride.
Regardless of the outfit I choose, we are #pantsuitnation and #imwithher. If you want to read more about these empowering experiences, check out this post on our blog. Also, if you’re interested in at-home insemination options, visit Make a Mom for their convenient syringe kits. For more information on family building, I recommend this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination.
In conclusion, the journey of women in pantsuits is filled with resilience, and we continue to stand together, embracing our stories and our strength.
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