Ellen Cassedy

Ellen Cassedy is known for co-founding 9to5, an organization coordinating improved working conditions for office workers.

Biography

Cassedy was working as an office worker at Harvard University[1] when she met Karen Nussbaum. After going to a weekend workshop for office workers, the two realized that many office workers faced challenges in the workplace. They formed the 9to5 organization[2] in the Boston area with a group of eight other women, all located in Boston.[3]

Cassedy wrote series of newspaper articles with Nussbaum that shared ideas from their book, 9 to 5: The Working Woman's Guide to Office Survival.[4] They advocated for better working conditions for working secretaries.[5] Cassedy was the editor of the 9 to 5 newsletter.[6] She spoke against changes to affirmative action programs in 1975,[7] and during the Reagan administration she worked on affirmative action programs.[8]

Cassedy also wrote the one-woman play Beautiful Hills of Brooklyn that was inspired by diaries written by her great-aunt.[9][10] The play was made into a film with Joanna Merlin playing the lead character, and won awards at multiple film festivals.[11]

Selected publications

  • Cassedy, Ellen; Nussbaum, Bruce (1983-10-27). 9 to 5: Working Women. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-006751-4.[12]
  • Cassedy, Ellen (2022-09-06). Working 9 to 5: A Women's Movement, a Labor Union, and the Iconic Movie. Chicago Review Press.[13]
  • Bravo, Ellen; Cassedy, Ellen (1992-05-22). The 9 to 5 Guide to Combating Sexual Harassment: Candid Advice from 9 to 5, The National Association of Working Women (1st ed.). New York: Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-57576-4.[14]
  • Cassedy, Ellen (2012-03-01). We Are Here: Memories of the Lithuanian Holocaust. Lincoln London: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-3012-5.[15]

References

  1. ^ MacPherson, Myra (1978-01-19). "Secretaries In Revolt". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  2. ^ Bakos, Susan Crain (1984-09-12). "Women's labor groups: stoking fires of change". The Fresno Bee; Fresno, California. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  3. ^ Hoffman, Marilyn (1983-12-03). "9-to-5 workers winning more respect". The Palm Beach Post; West Palm Beach, Florida. pp. [1], [2]. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  4. ^ Cassedy, Karen; Nussbaum, Karen (1983-10-23). "Surviving 9 to 5". The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  5. ^ Seaberry, Jane (1980-02-23). "Group Assails Banks' Job Practices". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  6. ^ McCormack, Patricia (1983-11-04). "Office workers bring '9 to 5' to life". The Knoxville News-Sentinel; Knoxville, Tennessee. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  7. ^ Cowan, Edward (1976-09-16). "Labor Department Offers Proposal to Spur Affirmative Action Hiring". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  8. ^ Upi (1981-10-06). "AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IS BACKED". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  9. ^ Rousuck, J. Wynn (2004-04-15). "Aunt's diary furnishes the material for show". The Baltimore Sun; Baltimore, Maryland. pp. [3]. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  10. ^ Lore, Diane C. (2003-12-08). "Play about CSI prof sings her praises as a lifeline for seniors". Staten Island Advance; Staten Island, New York. pp. [4]. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  11. ^ Russakoff, Dale (2010-09-27). "The New Old Age Blog: Recalling a Simple Life in Brooklyn". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  12. ^ Reviews of 9 to 5: Working Women
  13. ^ Review of Working 9 to 5
  14. ^ Reviews of The 9 to 5 Guide to Combating Sexual Harassment
  15. ^ Reviews of We Are Here