I have long rued the double standard that exists between men and women in the work place. The difference in what is required appearance wise is particularly upsetting to me. Requiring women to wear make-up just to be acceptable when men are acceptable as they are is most egregious. Even though it is not a stated requirement today, if you show up to an interview au natural you are not likely to get the job, depending on what the job is. What does that say about our society, certainly nothing good. As an experiment when I was looking for work I started to interview without make-up. I decided that I didn’t really want a job where I had to wear make up every day.  So except for a light foundation on days that my complexion needed evening out, I went au natural. I was pleasantly surprised that sometimes it didn’t seem to make a difference. Long story short, I have had several jobs now where I was not required to wear make-up. When I first entered the work force decades ago I’m certain that would not have been possible. I see it more and more now and it makes me so happy.  Today at my credit union I was assisted by my favorite teller. She is bubbly and sweet, and almost always au natural. Today I told her that I love that she chooses not to wear make-up, because I like natural beauty. She radiated glee while wishing me a great rest of my day. Baby steps are not light speed but change, however slow, is still progress. I look forward to the day when women are considered beautiful without modification, to the day when we are paid equally for the same work as men. We have made progress, but we’re still not there. Considering the current political climate and the erosion of some hard won rights, we must remain vigilant, for there is so much work left to do.