I spent two and a half years working at a coffee shop while I was in high school, and I was promoted to manager. The position was great and worked perfectly with my schedule. I was proud to be the only female, not to mention the youngest, manager working the night shift four times a week. But it took a very long time to earn the respect of my co-workers and most importantly, the customers.

At least once a week, someone would ask to speak to the manager, and would stereotypically turn to my male coworkers. Once I arrived at their table and asked them if I could remake drinks or give them a refund, the look of shock took a while to disappear from their face.

In fact, women hold 37 per cent of all management occupations, and this statistic is on the rise. The idea of a female in charge seems relatively simple to most, but some people are still under the impression that males should be in the position of power.

Now, we don’t live in the middle ages any more, and transitions in sexism cannot be made at the speed of light, but those who do not agree with females in charge should be more understanding.

Just because we are women doesn’t mean we can’t sell computers, or run a multimillion dollar company, or be an auto mechanic, or be the manager at a coffee shop. Both sexes are equally as capable, and we should be treated as such.