10 most feminist moments in Mad Men’s 1960s sea of misogyny

“Farewell to Mad Men” still, image via AMC

Peggy gets promoted from secretary to copywriter

The way Peggy moves on from her secretarial duties is sort of an accident, but definitely a happy one.

Not long after she settles in at Sterling Cooper, they acquire an account in Belle Jolie, a lipstick company. As part of the campaign development, Don and the creative team involve the secretary team to try the product and give their feedback. In a moment of offhand brilliance, Peggy looks at the trashcan full of lipstick-stained tissues and calls it a “basket of kisses.” Don takes note, and the rest is history.

Not long after Don promotes Peggy, Pete Campbell meddles in her work and takes her down a couple notches (not to mention impregnating her along the way), but in spite of this, Peggy’s rise to copywriter is a huge step for the women in the office and for the show. Peggy is such a special character because she is one of the only women on the entire show that 1) doesn’t get sexually involved with Don, and 2) is actually respected by Don as a peer. It can be argued that it was like this from day one, Don even pulling away from an advance that Peggy didn’t even want to make.

Don’s good treatment of Peggy certainly doesn’t excuse any of his other behavior, but in the sexist mire of this era, Peggy is sort of like the “gateway drug” to feminism, for Don and the rest of the cast of characters.