THE EXECUTIVE Katharine Gibbs

About this episode

The episode discusses Katharine Gibbs' impact on women's roles in the workplace through her training school for executive secretaries.

In 1917, Katharine Gibbs rebounded from personal tragedy in an unusual way: she decided to train a subversive, feminist army. Nearly broke and with just a high school education, Gibbs trained women as executive secretaries, building a famous school in just a few years. "Gibbs Girls" were so intelligent, competent, and polite, that no one could justify the dusty old notions that women belonged at home. The American workplace was changed forever. Our guest is Vanda Krefft, author of Expect Great Things! How the Katharine Gibbs School Revolutionized the American Workplace for Women. ____________________ Check out our upcoming TOURS: witness women's history with What'sHerName and find your people! Music in this episode: Irving Aaronson & His Commanders, "If I Had You" and "All By Yourself in the Moonlight"; Nat Shikret & The Victor Orchestra, "The Things That Were Made for Love"; Johnny Marvin, "True Blue Lou"; Arden & Ohman, "We'll Be the Same"; Paul Whiteman Orchestra, "Love Me"; Fred Rich & His Orchestra, "Nobody But You"; Leo Reisman & His Orchestra, "I Kiss Your Hand Madame"; Amulets, "Resolver"; JVNA, "Athena". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Katie Nelson, Olivia Meikle

Guest: Vanda Krefft

Topics covered

• feminism
• women in the workplace
• education
• history
• executive training

Keywords

• Katharine Gibbs
• executive secretaries
• women's history
• feminist education
• American workplace

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Irving Aaronson & His Commanders, Nat Shikret & The Victor Orchestra, Johnny Marvin, Arden & Ohman, Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Fred Rich & His Orchestra, Leo Reisman & His Orchestra, Amulets, JVNA

Books & works: Expect Great Things! How the Katharine Gibbs School Revolutionized the American Workplace for Women

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