Ordinary Women

 In March we celebrate Women, their accomplishments and place in American History. The Media and other institutions tend to immortalize the same well known women for their historical landmark accomplishments. Still there are ordinary women who every day make a difference. 

As a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, a nonpolitical, service organization focused on education, historical preservation, and patriotism, I see women from all backgrounds making a difference in their own, ordinary way at home, in their community, and even nationally. Many of our members are military or former military. I write our chapter's newsletter and this one article I wrote for the Women's History Month issue. 

You will see the crossover with my REAL life and my miniature life. As I explain, my first car was a '67 mustang coupe, so naturally I recently purchased a 1:18 scale mustang for the Manchester, feeling that the little red mustang was out of scale and would fit nicely in a half scale setting. While this not the replica of my mustang, it still stirs nostalgia for the good old days and those fabulous muscle cars of the '60s. After unboxing the mustang, I read the box and discovered a fascinating story about an ordinary woman ahead of her time, helping women move ahead of their time.

The National Women's History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women's History Month. The 2024 theme celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” recognizing women who understand the need to eliminate bias and discrimination from individuals' lives and institutions.

Anne Goodro

She was ahead of her time. Thrust into running a car dealership after her husband died, she brought a new approach to selling automobiles, which just might qualify her to be recognized as one of this year’s Women’s History Month Theme: “women who understand the need to eliminate bias and discrimination from individuals’ lives and institutions.” She transformed a predominately male landscape into one that accepted women, not because it was a politically correct and socially acceptable thing to do, but out of necessity because she saw a need and took advantage of the opportunity to grow her business while giving women the opportunity of be more self-reliant.

 

In 1972 I purchased my first car, a used Ford, but not any Ford— a ’67 Ford mustang GT coupe with a 4-on the floor shift and a 4-barrel carburetor. I loved that car—so much so that it’s stored in our barn. So much so that I purchased another one on eBay to park in my dollhouse garage.  After I unboxed the car, I read the box to see exactly what I had purchased, for this one was labeled “The She Country Mustang.” and I was very curious about what made this car so special. This ’67 mustang has quite a legacy.

Growing up, I remember well the commercials for Goodro Ford in Denver. According to the box, when Ann Goodro took over the dealership after her husband died in 1967, she became one of the first women in the 1960s to own and operate a car dealership. Ford was making the special edition mustang—the Ski Country Special and High-Country models—, so she talked Ford into making the She Country Mustang edition which she marketed specifically to women in 5 attractive colors: Limelight Green, Autumn Smoke, Bermuda Sand, and Evening Orchid. Each car came with an orchid corsage and a personalized license plate. 

Women are well aware of the gender pay gap, but in years past that financial gap was more restrictive than just pay equity. In 1967 a woman didn’t just walk into a dealership and open up the hood of a car to check out the engine and then sign the papers. 

In 1848 married women gained the right to own property when New York passed the first Women’s Property Act. By 1900 most states had passed the same law. Interestingly, single women had been able to own their own property, but husbands controlled their wives’ property.

As property owners, women began to gain wealth and start businesses, but they still could not borrow money. By the 1960s they were finally able to open their own checking accounts and use other banking services, but they still couldn’t get credit cards or loans without a male co-signer; worse, lenders tended to discriminate against women who applied for loans.

Financial status began to improve with the 1963 Equal Pay Act. The law leveled out the pay discrepancy somewhat, but we know that women still in 2024 don’t always receive equal pay, but that law did improve the ability for women to build, manage, and maintain their own wealth. (https://www.bankrate.com/loans/personal-loans/history-of-women-and-loans/) 

In 1967 while women were fighting for their equality in a male dominated business world, Ann Goodro opened the door for them to own that classic mustang coupe. She defied auto sales by not only maintaining her husband’s sales but surpassing them. Ann was certainly a pioneer, “who paved the way for women to buy, own, and sell cars.”  And to be fair, with the popularity of the She Country Mustang, she later released the He Country Special in Stealth Black. 

Today woman commonly hold CEO positions, own their homes, buy cars, and borrow money from banks to accomplish their dreams. Ann Goodro had little choice but to carry on her husband’s business; she opened her doors to women to take yet another step toward independence and buy their own car. Women don’t have to be famous or wealthy or extraordinary to blaze a trail; they just need to follow their dreams and take control of their destiny. Ann Goodro deserves to be recognized for what she did in her own small way to “eliminate bias and discrimination from individuals' lives and institutions” when she offered women an opportunity to own that special She Country Mustang. 

 

 

Next week, part III of the attic flooring project and an "Oh woe is me" electrical fiasco. Stay tuned.

Thanks for joining me.

Ann