Men and women at work in Atlanta

Women's magazine editor Cynthia Good has an issue with “Men at Work” and “Men Working Ahead” road signs across Atlanta. Good, founding editor of Atlanta-based PINK Magazine which focuses on professional women, is not stopping with Atlanta.

She was at odds about seeing the signs next to women working alongside men. She demanded Atlanta officials remove the signs and Atlanta Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista agreed. 

"Score one for gender equality," says Good.

Public Works officials are replacing 50 "Men Working" with "Workers Ahead” signs. It will cost $22 to replace old signs and $144 to purchase new signs, said Public Works spokeswoman Valerie Bell-Smith said.

"We're calling on the rest of the nation to follow suit and make a statement that we will not accept these subtle forms of discrimination," said Good, 48. Good got started after Atlanta police approached her about a complaint that she spray painted “wo” onto a “Men at Work” sign.

Good responded to accusations by sending complaint letters to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Gov. Sonny Perdue. State transportation officials said they will ask contractors to remove the offensive signs.

The complaint wasn’t new as women employed at Atlanta Public Works have complained in the past, according to Atlanta union leader Gina Pagnotta. "It is a little bit bias to say 'Men Working,' " said Pagnotta, president of the Professional Association of City Employees. "Women are working, too."

Although I see many of these signs on local streets, I have never given them a second thought. But for anyone at odds with a sign or anything else, this story shows how a motivated person can still make a difference.