| In 1952, Harry Klemfuss saw the need to | | | | Currently, there exists a unique line of corporate |
| recognize secretaries for their hard work and | | | | gifts for women called Professional in Pink [ |
| dedication. National Secretary's Day was created | | | | During the 1950s, very few women existed in the |
| on his notion that secretaries are essential to the | | | | corporate setting. If one did exist, she was limited |
| corporate world. This unofficial holiday is presently | | | | to a secretarial or clerical position. Furthermore, |
| celebrated on the last Wednesday in April. During | | | | such positions were not looked upon as being |
| the 1950s the majority of secretaries in the | | | | professional. We have come a long way since |
| workplace were women. Since then, National | | | | then. Secretaries have not only gained more |
| Secretary's Day has been renamed Administrative | | | | respect but they earned a new name. |
| Professional's Day. The name was changed to | | | | Modern-day secretaries have been recognized as |
| reflect the progression of women in the | | | | Administrative Assistants, Executive |
| workplace and the fact that men have taken on | | | | Administrators, and Administrative Professionals. |
| administrative roles as well. | | | | These titles help to reflect the professionalism of, |
| Modern corporations are realizing the importance | | | | formerly known as, secretarial positions. |
| of employee recognition and have adopted | | | | Today, we can celebrate the facts that not only |
| corporate gifting. Research suggests that | | | | have women succeeded in administrative roles, |
| corporate gifting increases employee morale and | | | | but they have reached new heights and deeper |
| creates a more positive environment in the | | | | depths. More women have become doctors, |
| workplace. While women are still a minority in the | | | | lawyers, corporate executives, managers, and |
| corporate realm, many companies are encouraged | | | | politicians, since the 1950s. With the ever-changing |
| to adopt Harry Klemfuss' idea to recognize the | | | | population in the corporate world, more |
| importance of women in the office. In recent | | | | corporations are encouraged to celebrate the |
| years, special gifts have been developed in order | | | | accomplishments of women in the workplace. |
| to recognize the hard work that women | | | | After all, women are just as professional as |
| contribute to Corporate America. In the past, | | | | men--the only difference is that they are |
| most business gifts were male influenced. | | | | professionals in pink. |