My Career at IBM: A Working Woman in a Man’s World in the 1960s

— Patti Schatz

I was calm until I hung up the phone. Then I shouted aloud, “I got the job!!” In 1966 the computer industry was just getting started. At age 22, I was now a systems Engineer with IBM in Elmira, New York. IBM was one of the most prominent and well-respected computer companies.

I soon discovered that I was the only woman in the entire office. Even the branch manager’s secretary was a man. Though that might seem like a problem, I soon had dozens of ‘big brothers’. During my job interview, I learned that IBM had maintained a formal nondiscrimination policy since 1953. Most clients, however, did not have similar policies.

Often a couple of the guys took me to lunch, and gave me advice about the job, business climate, and what to expect. They were honest in saying that I would have trouble in some situations. I discovered that my two primary mentors helped me avoid problems.

For example, John told me that the manager would never assign me to Company M, because the staff was not amenable to having women around. Their programs were also filled with obscene language.

Joe, a salesman, took me to meet with a prospective client who had problems with inventory management. He explained the situation as we drove. Then, he added, “Don’t be surprised if Mr. G is not receptive to you at first. He is a crusty old guy. But, ignore that, and politely tell him how the computer system can solve his inventory control problems.” (I had written programs in that area, so could speak about details with clarity). At first, Mr. G leaned back in his big executive chair, arms crossed, looking through a scowl. Joe must have known him well, because as I followed his advice and described the benefits of an IBM system, Mr. G leaned forward and engaged in a discussion. He bought the solution.

Later, a large manufacturer of guns bought a new system; I was assigned to help them set up, test and implement several applications. Often I met with department heads to discuss their business requirements. One day back at my IBM office I discovered that a bouquet of flowers had been sent by one of the men with whom I had met. I can best describe him as “creepy”, older, and unable to remember that he was married. I interpreted his actions as improper. I immediately went to my manager, described the situation, and he took care of it. He went to the “creepy guy’s” manager, and explained IBM’s policy of sexual harassment. I know he got the message, because he glared at me whenever he saw me after that. He never spoke to me again. The installation proceeded to a successful conclusion.

Joe again needed my help to sell a computer system to a lingerie manufacturer. I was to give a demo, explaining what the system could do, and how it could help them improve business operations. In the midst of the demo, the client interrupted and asked, “Have you ever considered being a lingerie model?” Without embarrassment, I smoothly replied. “No, I give computer demonstrations. As I was saying….” He paid attention and subsequently bought the system. I was not assigned to that account.

When someone bought a system, IBM provided test time at the datacenter in Syracuse. Clients could test their programs, load data into files, and prepare to use the system. Company K in Ithaca used the testing capability. Their programmer Brooks was very quiet, slight of frame, and also quite shy. I arranged to drive him, his boxes of data and programs to Syracuse for their dedicated test session, scheduled from about 8:00 PM until 4:00 AM. I was also expected to teach him to operate the system and how to run the programs.

The testing was successful, and as we walked out of the datacenter at 4:00 AM, we discovered that 18 inches of snow had fallen. The roads were not cleared, and the wind was blowing. I told Brooks that I could not drive in those conditions. Down the street, there was a motel, and we would stay there, of course in two separate rooms, until the weather improved. He was extremely reluctant to make that arrangement. At the motel, I said we would require two rooms. The snarky desk clerk offered two rooms with a connecting door, “Wink, Wink”. Brooks was mortified; I was angry. I insisted that our assigned rooms should not have a connecting door. Meanwhile, Brooks called his wife to break the news to her that he would not be home until later.

Hours later, the weather cleared, roads were plowed, and we returned to Ithaca. Brooks was so happy to be home. Unfortunately his co-workers teased him mercilessly about spending the night with the Systems Engineer. I think they knew better than to tease me. Brooks did survive, and their installation was smooth.

Women were often offered advice during training sessions about how to dress in a conservative manner and present a professional demeanor. I recall one piece of advice; a woman’s hair should not move around as she moved. I assumed that long, flowing hair was considered sexy, and we had to avoid that. Since I was the only woman in the office, I could set the style. In the early years of my career, I wore a hat and gloves to work, although that was not customary attire in upstate New York.

Although I found myself in many uncomfortable situations, I maintained control. I was always confident that IBM would provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and discrimination. I knew they would back me up. I was not disappointed.

These are several instances of uncomfortable situations, because I was a woman, a young woman, in a man’s world. I want to be clear: there were dozens of positive experiences from appreciative clients. I was respected for my skills; clients were grateful for the help. They generally held the impression that IBM employees were professional and competent. Often we were allowed easier access to executives. Employees felt obligated to live up to the reputation.

My IBM career spanned 49 years. I held many different jobs, always in technical areas and retired as a Certified Senior Information Technology Architect. I was honored to hold a leadership position on IBM’s IT Architect Certification Board.

The changes I witnessed in computer technology and capabilities over all those decades would have been unimaginable at the start of my career. Now, even non-experts realize that change is accelerating, and will continue.

Patti Schatz grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Mansfield College with a degree in math, and taught senior high school college prep math for two years. She joined IBM during the infancy of the computer industry as a Systems Engineer, a technical career which spanned 49 years. In retirement she has pursued many hobbies, among them photography, quilt design and construction, and baking, especially cookies for the holiday season. Her butterfly garden is flourishing. She is a member of OLLI, and participates in both the German language and French language SIGs.