Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

s. Whenever I would start a new job and most of the colleges knew that there was a temp secretary was coming, they were always very amazed-if not shocked-that a man showed up at the office.</p><p id="3283">People would often ask if I wasn’t a management assistant or an administrative assistant. I had to point out that the vacancy was for a secretary, and this is who I am and what I do. Nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes people, who were uncomfortable with the secretary title, tried to address or mention me with another title. It really was a never-ending story trying to make people understand that men can also, in fact, be secretaries.</p><h1 id="8f4d">As a man in a stereotypically female role, what are some of your observations about the gender divide?</h1><p id="8b21">I personally think it’s unnecessary. It’s all about the job, and there should be no questions as to who is doing it. Yes, through the years being a secretary has evolved more as a female job, but men have also proven that it is a role of both genders. In the same way female baseball players, lawyers or detectives have proven they can do those jobs too. I think that we need to focus more on the results, than on who is providing them.</p><p id="7751">It’s a fact that women earn less than men, and that for some women the financial impact after a divorce is much greater. I remember some years back when I just got to Holland, to be petrified to learn of young girls being in arranged marriages and the high scale of young mothers and suicide rates. All this is a result of the gender divide. We have come a long way but still have a long way to go.</p><h1 id="e587">You use your job title as a discussion starter, what exactly is the conversation you hope to have with people and what is the insight or consideration you hope they walk away with?</h1><p id="2aab">Very simple. As I mentioned before during this interview: gender is irrelevant.</p><p id="550a">It’s all comes down to who you are as a person, as a human being with all of its authenticity and being able to do at your best. I wish people could see that only by respecting

Options

and empowering each other, we can achieve great things AND that gender has no role in this.</p><p id="c261">This gender discussion has existed since the beginning of time. It is important that we continue this discussion, but more than just having the discussion, we need to motivate and inspire each other to take the initiative, to invest in ourselves. To get connected and pursue our and help others pursue their aspirations and dreams. The power of connection is such a strong one, that it is often neglected.</p><figure id="4335"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*9282DiAS4erQ42wPsyKwaQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Click <a href="https://www.houseofhives.com/fem">here</a> to subscribe</figcaption></figure><figure id="31dc"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*y3BYD5AQ7KGDkT7bA1wVLw.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="c158"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*FPBVDKm0UD_A9GVi-axZdQ.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h1 id="bc4d">About FEM</h1><p id="d4c4">FEM stands for Feminist Entrepreneurs Magazine (or Finally Eradicating Misogyny, if you’re feeling cheeky), and is a <a href="https://www.houseofhives.com/">House of Hives</a> publication. We started this magazine to support entrepreneurs who feel disenchanted with the 24/7 hustle culture, the competitive narrative of toxic masculinity and narrow definitions of success, value and wealth that it peddles. We want to talk about balance, the importance of mental health, the power of collaboration and diversity, and much more.</p><p id="acdd">We hope to inspire and support entrepreneurs as they build their businesses in enjoyable and sustainable ways, by sharing stories and tips from thought-leaders and change-makers. <a href="https://www.houseofhives.com/fem">Join the mailing list</a> to have the FEM e-magazine sent directly to your inbox.</p><p id="86c5"><i>Originally published at <a href="https://www.houseofhives.com/fem1/closing-the-gender-divide-from-both-sides">https://www.houseofhives.com</a> on October 25, 2021.</i></p></article></body>

Closing the Gender Divide From Both Sides

It was a joy to connect with Alexander Martijn, secretary and 56-year-old Curacao native who has lived in Amsterdam for about 24 years. This city taught him that he has a voice and that he can be himself ‘no matter what’. We should all thank Amsterdam for that!

Alexander Martijn has been a secretary about as long as he can remember. In my childhood, he started out working as an administrative assistant for the employment agency his mother owned, doing all kinds of chores. Later he became Branch Manager for their second office on the island of Bonaire. The most rewarding memories he has are about being able to help others with a job and receiving that gratitude from those people. It always gives Alexander Martijn pleasure and immense satisfaction to help others.

So, why “Secretary” and not “Administrative Assistant”?

I started out as an Administrative Assistant. Way back then an Administrative Assistant meant doing basic office chores such as taking telephone calls, filing documents, making copies of various documents. Nowadays, an Administrative Assistant has more responsibilities but still does not do all the necessary tasks to be called a Secretary.

I am a secretary because I’ve surpassed the administrative assistant title. Through specific education, I specialised in being what many call a personal- or executive assistant, office manager, which is what I call a Secretary.

What have been some of the strangest responses you’ve had to your job title?

In the beginning, I worked as a temp for various companies through different employment agencies. Whenever I would start a new job and most of the colleges knew that there was a temp secretary was coming, they were always very amazed-if not shocked-that a man showed up at the office.

People would often ask if I wasn’t a management assistant or an administrative assistant. I had to point out that the vacancy was for a secretary, and this is who I am and what I do. Nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes people, who were uncomfortable with the secretary title, tried to address or mention me with another title. It really was a never-ending story trying to make people understand that men can also, in fact, be secretaries.

As a man in a stereotypically female role, what are some of your observations about the gender divide?

I personally think it’s unnecessary. It’s all about the job, and there should be no questions as to who is doing it. Yes, through the years being a secretary has evolved more as a female job, but men have also proven that it is a role of both genders. In the same way female baseball players, lawyers or detectives have proven they can do those jobs too. I think that we need to focus more on the results, than on who is providing them.

It’s a fact that women earn less than men, and that for some women the financial impact after a divorce is much greater. I remember some years back when I just got to Holland, to be petrified to learn of young girls being in arranged marriages and the high scale of young mothers and suicide rates. All this is a result of the gender divide. We have come a long way but still have a long way to go.

You use your job title as a discussion starter, what exactly is the conversation you hope to have with people and what is the insight or consideration you hope they walk away with?

Very simple. As I mentioned before during this interview: gender is irrelevant.

It’s all comes down to who you are as a person, as a human being with all of its authenticity and being able to do at your best. I wish people could see that only by respecting and empowering each other, we can achieve great things AND that gender has no role in this.

This gender discussion has existed since the beginning of time. It is important that we continue this discussion, but more than just having the discussion, we need to motivate and inspire each other to take the initiative, to invest in ourselves. To get connected and pursue our and help others pursue their aspirations and dreams. The power of connection is such a strong one, that it is often neglected.

About FEM

FEM stands for Feminist Entrepreneurs Magazine (or Finally Eradicating Misogyny, if you’re feeling cheeky), and is a House of Hives publication. We started this magazine to support entrepreneurs who feel disenchanted with the 24/7 hustle culture, the competitive narrative of toxic masculinity and narrow definitions of success, value and wealth that it peddles. We want to talk about balance, the importance of mental health, the power of collaboration and diversity, and much more.

We hope to inspire and support entrepreneurs as they build their businesses in enjoyable and sustainable ways, by sharing stories and tips from thought-leaders and change-makers. Join the mailing list to have the FEM e-magazine sent directly to your inbox.

Originally published at https://www.houseofhives.com on October 25, 2021.