From one who set out to dare to learn

MaschataDiop

by MaschataDiop

Story

“Why does a woman need Matrics? She’s going to get married and have children anyway!” Says my father, a trained precision mechanic. My mother, an accountant, gets my sister and me to go to grammar school. But only for 4 years. After that it’s: “We can’t afford extra tuition!” They save up to build a family home. I get into business school. Already in the first year, the teachers try to motivate me to change to the commercial academy. “There you go with mathematics again. You just got a ‘pass’ in maths because the professor knew you were dropping out,” my parents said.

I stay at the commercial school, graduate with honours. I complete an apprenticeship as a bookseller and move out. My salary as an apprentice bookseller is much lower than that of my business school friend. She works as a paralegal – one of the lowest paid jobs you can get after a Business School degree in the 1980s. She loves her job. I am disappointed with mine. Not because of the activities, but because it offers no opportunities for advancement. I don’t have the money to open my own bookshop. I am not allowed to teach at the vocational school without matrics.

I save. After almost 3 years, I invest the money. In me. I enrolled in the advanced course for the Business Academy matrics. Back then, in 1984, a two-year school experiment. 36 start in my class. 12 move up, 8 are allowed to take matrics. I pass. I enrol at university for my “dream degree” in German Studies. I have to catch up on my Latin. I don’t have the time for the preparatory lectures. I take on a job. My father refuses to support me financially. Nevertheless, I pass the Latin exam. I work as a cleaner, bookseller, lottery ticket seller, secretary, editor. I continue to work, even when my father pays the minimum that is “required by law”. As he writes to me.

I notice that I miss a lot of what is taught at a secondary school at university. It takes two years until I can read books with pleasure again. I change my major to history. After many years, I complete my diploma studies with distinction. Work as a “freelance” editor for 10 years, later as an employee. Start a Master’s degree. Go on educational leave. Complete my studies with distinction.

I am the first academic in my family. Why did I succeed in overcoming the “social numerus clausus” that still exists in Austria today? Because I am persistent? Because I am ambitious? Inquisitive? Curious? Yes. And much more. But without the spirit of the 1970s and the message of the 1st State Secretary for Women Johanna Dohnal “Girls have a right to (higher) education!” I would not have dared to set out.

By the way, my school-leaving certificate from the 4th grade of general secondary school shows a grade point average of 2.0.

© MaschataDiop 2021-04-29

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