The history of work(I): a contract for a schoolmistress in 1923

Why do we call female teachers “Miss”? The answer has its roots in history, and in particular in the first point of the contract below, as Michael W Apple tells us in his book “Teachers and Texts” (1988), published by Routledge. Chapter 3 includes a very interesting document: the contract for a schoolmistress in the United States in 1923. It’s priceless.

Contract for a schoolmistress: 1923

This is an agreement between a Miss Jones, teacher and the Board of Education of Middleton School, whereby Miss Jones agrees to teach in the Middleton School for a period of eight months beginning September 1, 1923. The board of Education agrees to pay Miss Jones the sum of $75.00 per month. Miss Jones agrees:

1. Not to get married. This contract becomes null and void immediately if the teacher marries.
2. Not to keep company with men.
3. To be at home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless she is in attendance at a school function.
4. Not to loiter downtown in ice-cream parlors.
5. Not to leave town at any time without the permission of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
6. Not to smoke cigarettes. This contract becomes null and void immediately if the teacher is found smoking.
7. Not to drink beer, wine, whiskey. This contract becomes null and void immediately if the teacher is found drinking beer, wine or whiskey.
8. Not to ride in a carriage or automobile with any man except her brothers or father.
9. Not to dress in bright clothes.
10. Not to dye her hair.
11. To wear at least two petticoats.
12. Not to wear dresses more than two inches above the ankle.
13. To keep the schoolroom clean; to sweep the classroom floor, to scrub the floor at least once a week with soap and hot water, clean blackboards daily; start the stove at 7 a.m. so that the room will be warm by 8 a.m. when the children arrive; to carry out the ashes at least once a day.
14. Not to use face powder, mascara or paint the lips.

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