Images(3)

Chain, Key

Object number2024.10.2

MediumPlastic; Metal; Brass; Paint

Credit LineGift of Joyce Bender

DescriptionMetal and plastic key chain. White plastic key fob is in the shape of the number "1" with gold advertising text on front. Top of key chain extends into white plastic tab that is folded over a silver metal split key ring and secured to itself with a brass grommet.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 4.063 x 1.563 x 0.313 in. (10.3 x 4 x 0.8 cm)
InscriptionsFront of key fob has gold text "YOU'RE / #1 / WITH / JOYCE / BENDER / AND PHIL FITTS / FORD / Bus. Phone / 412-658-3521".
Historical NotesKey chain from Ford. As a young women, Joyce worked as a telephone solicitor for a Ford Dealership. A supervisor recognized her aptitude for sales and recommended that she try a position as a sales representative. It was in this work environment that Bender was first exposed to a male-dominated workplace. Bender contended regularly with sexism and misogyny, particularly during her career ascent in the executive search and professional recruiting field. She was frequently mistaken as a secretary, even though she was a partner at an executive search firm. New Galilee, Pennsylvania native Joyce Bender worked as an IT recruiter in Pittsburgh in the 1980s. A request to train students with disabilities in resume writing and interviewing at the Community College of Allegheny County’s Institute of Handicapped Children led to a pivot in her career. Joyce realized that people with disabilities were underemployed and not utilizing their skills and degrees. She started Bender Consulting which focused on finding competitive employment for people with disabilities in the IT sector. As an adult, Bender was diagnosed with epilepsy and lost hearing in her right ear as a result of fall related to a seizure. Through Bender’s advocacy, CCAC rebranded this program as the Institute of Advanced Technology. She became known for her saying, “People with disabilities need paychecks not pity.”

Related person Joyce Cilitti Bender

Related institution Ford Motor Company

Related institution joyce Bender and Phil Fitts Ford

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