In an editorial on the website MercuryNews.com, Patty Fisher defended the rights of domestic workers, saying, “Behind every super-successful two-career couple, there’s a person who makes it possible for them to work such long hours and still come home to a clean house, clean laundry, freshly scrubbed children and home-cooked meals. Call her the maid, the nanny or the personal assistant. Whatever you call her, she belongs to one of most exploited professions in the country.”
Behind every great person, there is a great assistant. Behind every board meeting that goes off without a hitch and behind every conference call with eighteen participants that results in an international merger, there is an assistant. The executives may get press for signing a contract, making a deal, or winning a sponsorship, but there would be no article without an assistant to get the boss on the phone.
Where would companies be without that person whose job it is to get soaking wet running back from Starbucks on a rainy day with a dozen espressos? What would happen if every copy machine in America jammed, and there was no assistant who knew how to fix them? How would any bosses be able to do all their work without a trusty assistant to fact check, screen their calls, and order in lunch?
Assistants in this country don’t just deserve a holiday. They deserve a whole fucking lot of respect. And this website is here to give it to them.
Thank you, from an admin whose boss neither knows nor cares what today is or how far a little recognition and respect goes.
First of all, I LOVE your use of Rosie the Riveter (my grandfather wrote the song of the same name)!!!! I totally agree that admins are the eyes, ears, brains and most of all HEART of any good office or organization. We’re babysitters, gatekeepers, waitresses, cheerleaders, secretaries…and usually all at the same time. Kudos for the manifesto, and for this wonderful site!