The Secretariat, Mad Men Secretarying is a blog about the lifestyle of secretaries. In many portrayals, the profession is depicted as a sex symbol as is revealed in history until the current 
day, in movies, books, art, and in reality. In the movie, Charlie Wilson’s War, we get an exaggerated portrayal of female administrators in a business man’s office being pictured as sex symbols. The late Charlie Wilson was a United States Congressman who surrounded himself with beautiful women, including his staff. Mr. Wilson was a representative from Texas’s 2nd congressional district (Southeast Texas) from ’73 to ‘96. He is famous for his ability to influence people and harnessed a lot of political power as a result. So much so, that he could bring ancient enemies together, who fight Holy wars. This is attributed to his contribution to the covert funding of the Mujahideen Soviet-Afghan War. The Soviets retreat.
His day-to-day operation consisted of travel, meetings, networking, addressing the concerns of the citizens within his district, and a lot of politicking. His head administrative assistant, Bonnie Bach, always escorted him when he was not on the House floor. She briefed him daily on the happenings in his office and within the House of Representatives. She managed his calendar, travel and all of his affairs. She traveled with him on business trips. She acted as his witness, she sat in on some meetings and during others, like those with the President of Pakistan, she waited in a separate area, where she continued to act as correspondent and representative of Charlie Wilson’s office. He valued her and all of his office staff. Each one worked the area where she was strong. One of the administrators was particularly strong with the media, because of her quick wit, he made her the press secretary. She handled all of his media requests and responses and had to work directly with the attorney before releasing it. His receptionist made sure his cup stayed full. Mr. Wilson drank whiskey by 10 in the morning and she didn’t have a problem pouring the shot in his cup. She greeted his guests, answered the office phone and treated all with that good ol’ southern hospitality. His office was ran Charlie Wilson style. When questioned about his staffing choice, his response was, “You can teach them to type but you can’t teach them to grow tits”.
Although Mr. Wilson is not a perfect man, he was genuine and charming. He recognized the talent in others, drew it out and used it to accomplish his goal. All of the best leaders have these qualities. Charles Wilson loved people. I would have enjoyed working in Mr. Wilson’s office. But there still remains the controversy. In the words of Joanne Herring, Wilson’s dear, life-long love and friend, “Wilson was an unapologetic sexist, chauvinistic redneck, but he attracted many gorgeous ladies and treated them well”.
We appreciate his generosity, enjoy the taste of the executive’s life and enjoy working his desk. How can we be mad if he also wants his assistant to be eye-candy? What are your thoughts of this depiction of the administrative professional?
Mad Man Secretarying,
Gina, The Secretariat
Wanda Wiggins, the secretary to Mr. Tudball, in the outrageous Carol Burnett skit, “Tudball and Wiggins”, is an exaggerated depiction of a dim witted assistant. Mr. Tudball is completely frustrated with his assistant who is always preoccupied with doing her nails, makeup, or daydreaming. She appears to be a complete idiot. Yet her ignorance is the genius of this skit. Mrs. Wiggins deliberately agitates Mr. Tudball. In the 11 minute “Intercom” skit, Mr. Tudball attempts to coach Mrs. Wiggins in his scheme to get out of addressing an important matter but Mrs. Wiggins has her own shenanigans.
The Secretariat 