Swiss Maid corrects the omission of women from historical narratives of Switzerland. Women
helped with herculean effort in the formation of the small but extraordinary nation known for
its political neutrality and stability fierce independency multiculturalism successful
economy and innovation. The author¿s investigation and analysis of women¿s work in Switzerland
correlates women¿s contributions with the country¿s sociopolitical and economic successes.
Women have made historic change in religious institutions domestic life artisanry and trade
education care work the military politics industry and business and service sectors.
Chapters present the qualitative and quantitative data necessary to establish socioeconomic
arguments. Women have indirectly contributed to the GNP but more importantly to social progress
and the well-being of the nation. Stories of exemplary pioneering women are highlighted but
silent and silenced common women are also featured and finally recognized. Although
Judeo-Christian traditions placed women in subservient positions they developed their own
strength and contributed to the national economy. However women¿s work was not sufficiently
recognized and valued because of inadequate accounting and productivity models. Gender-specific
education division of labor and gendered social structures of previous centuries are
discussed in relation to women¿s productivity and social changes in more recent times.
Multifactor productivity concepts and social progress measurements shed light on the value of
women¿s work and care. Portraits of historical and contemporary women attest to their intrepid
courage and extraordinary yield without which the Swiss brand and the image of Switzerland
could not flourish.
