Henrietta Hay's Column

Some columnist, whose name I have long forgotten, said, "If you can't annoy someone there's little point in writing." I certainly don't try to annoy any of my readers, although I suppose I do from time to time. But Tom Gavin, writing in the Denver Post, does it for fun. He's the Rush Limbaugh of print journalism. Usually I think he's very funny, but recently he pulled my chain so hard it came right out. The headline on this little gem read, "Must I learn to curtsy?"

Yes, Tom, I think you must. It is difficult to determine who or what is the major target of this particularly chauvinistic column. It could be the University of Colorado, or the Regents, or the state budget, or Sol Albino, or taxes or Dr. Judith Albino, the female who has the audacity to be President of the University. I have no doubt that it is really the latter.

The Regents recently announced that they have set Dr. Albino's salary at $150,000. She has the use of the President's mansion and a car, or maybe two and, believe it or not, health insurance. Further, to avoid potential conflict of interest, her husband has been relieved of his duties in the athletic department and given the job of manager of the presidential mansion. For the record, his salary is not being paid by the University but by the C. U. Foundation, to which I contribute a few dollars now and then. All of these things seem to be upsetting Tom Gavin to the point of apoplexy.

The most interesting thing in this whole discussion is that if Dr. Albino's name were John instead of Judith, nobody would have even looked up from the breakfast table to comment.

The football coach at C. U. has a 15-year contract starting at $130,000 a year, and lucrative radio and TV contracts in addition. I'll bet he even gets his health insurance paid! I can't begin to count the football and baseball players who receive several million dollars a year. In the world of business and industry, the picture of a CEO of a company with a $740 million budget who is paid only $150,000 is in the land of fantasy. These male facts cause only a minor ripple. But a woman? Even in the academic world, which is not in a financial class with football, Dr. Albino's salary is far below that of presidents of private universities of comparable stature.

But this is not really about money. It is about role reversal. It is about sexism. It is about women moving into jobs which have for generations been held by men. It is about women who are successful and who are tough enough to compete. It is about change, which is so hard for all of us to handle.

Poor Tom Gavin. Not only do we have a woman in charge and earning the big bucks, but her husband is officially the manager of the house. That, to Mr. Gavin, is the final indignity. The President's Mansion at C. U., like most other official residences is partly a place to live and partly a place in which to entertain. The White House and the Governor's Mansion are scarcely cozy little cottages where the lady of the house hangs out the wash. They all serve a public function and are social centers. They require professional management and somebody's got to do it!

But the husband of the lady of the house in that job? To quote Gavin, writing of Sol Albino, "...he'll take a $5000 reduction in salary in his new post as - do I have this right? - One of two university-paid house servants of the new president, his wife . . .. But let us not forget, he can get right on the job in the morning without shaving, showering or even doffing the ratty old bathrobe." Oh come off it, Tom, I'll bet Sol doesn't do windows.

As more and more women have high-paying jobs the glass ceiling is beginning to crack a little. But women in high profile jobs are having to face a special kind of hostility that men have never known. This one got appointed fair and square and earns her pay and yes, Tom, I think it would do you good to curtsy to her. And I'd like to watch.