My first job out of grad school (MSW) was as a public policy wonk at a small nonprofit. I ended up being promoted over the years because others were brought in

My first job out of grad school (MSW) was as a public policy wonk at a small nonprofit. I ended up being promoted over the years because others were brought in and the board decided to recognize my experience that way. Great. Throughout my tenure (~8 years), I worked more than 40 hours/week. I loved, loved, loved the work. In the early days, I worked way more than 40 hrs. Then I got married and I worked fewer more hours. The board chair noticed and said something. I agreed with her and told her it was because I got married. She understood. What she wouldn't acknowledge, though, is that my productivity at 30 hours a week surpassed every other staffer's. That was a problem and management was not gonna address general it. In some ways, I could not have cared less. When first married, my husband had a cancer scare and was in and out of the hospital over a couple of months. After a major surgery, I stayed with him in the hospital. He was so doped up that I got a ton of work done. When he got home, work sent food for a week. I worked from home and still got a ton done. Colleagues wondered why I got this treatment. Most board members understood what that said about my colleagues; the ED was, again, not gonna do the hard work of managing us. I really lucked out. But I often wonder what kind of good we could have done for kids and families in DC if we were all functioning at a high level. Such a missed opportunity.