Take a moment to appreciate your Administrative Professional

Happy Administrative Professionals' Day from your friends at the Dog Denizens of Genesee Park!

The cynical amongst you consider Administrative Professionals' Day a pseudo holiday created by the American greeting card and chocolate industries. Credit not Hallmark, American Greetings or Whitman's... but New York publicist Harry F. Klemfuss. The National Secretaries Association and Klemfuss conspired to encourage women to pursue lucrative and rewarding careers as secretaries, receptionists and stenographers. U.S. Commerce Secretary Charles Sawyer proclaimed June 1-7, 1952 as "National Secretaries' Week".

One could well imagine the Eisenhower-Era celebration that ensued. "Here's a Whitman's Sampler, baby. Now, bring me a coffee -- cream and two sugars -- and a cheese danish. Cancel my 11 o'clock, and make a reservation for four at the Brown Derby. Pick up my dry cleaning, confirm my tickets at the Hollywood Bowl and dinner at Perino's. But first, get your steno pad so I can dictate a letter..."

In 1981 -- shortly after release of the movie 9 to 5 -- the commemoration was renamed Professional Secretaries' Week. The name change, though, did not debunk the buxom image of Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson's alter ego in WKRP in Cincinnati). Marlowe held steadfast to her job title of receptionist -- and not a secretary. ("I'm not a secretary, I'm a receptionist. I receive people.") John F. Kennedy Jr. arguably played the most famous television administrative professional when he appeared in the 1995 season premiere of Murphy Brown. John-John portrayed one of 93 of the title character's disposal secretaries... er, administrative assistants.

In 2000, the celebration was retitled Administrative Professionals' Week to acknowledge the ever-changing modern office environment. The festivities culminate with the feting and flower giving that accompanies Administrative Professionals' Day.

Consider, though, that computers, email and smart phones have changed the nature of our office multi-tasking tasks. Most of us write and print our own correspondence, send rapid-fire email and text messages, and screen our cell phone calls. Really, we are our own administrative professionals! Treat yourself to lunch at Quizno's or Wendy's. Or, better yet, promote yourself by purchasing a new Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid or Blackberry Bold. And if you decide to upgrade, consider donating your own phone to a charity... like one that supports victims of domestic violence or provides cell phones for our overseas military personnel.

It's the "green" thing to do. And tomorrow is Earth Day.