Most secretaries before WWI were male--then there was the war, men went away and women replaced them and sort of went away--then WWII happened, and it was over for the previously male-dominated profession.
All this I learned from Utz, who wrote an article on the subject researching the history of the word "Secretary", which had the original meaning of "secret-keeper". Back in the day, who would have entrusted a woman with business secrets? Yeah, no.
But maid, governess, nanny (possibly, considering how we know she felt about 'her' children), but I'm sure as an older woman she could act as an escort for a young lady about town, although that was usually performed by a relative (I think). Then again, Doctor/Donna wouldn't be held back by social contrivences. She's the bloody Doctor/Donna, and she'll do as she likes!
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 09:47 pm (UTC)All this I learned from Utz, who wrote an article on the subject researching the history of the word "Secretary", which had the original meaning of "secret-keeper". Back in the day, who would have entrusted a woman with business secrets? Yeah, no.
But maid, governess, nanny (possibly, considering how we know she felt about 'her' children), but I'm sure as an older woman she could act as an escort for a young lady about town, although that was usually performed by a relative (I think). Then again, Doctor/Donna wouldn't be held back by social contrivences. She's the bloody Doctor/Donna, and she'll do as she likes!