When I worked in the bank in the 1960's, male staff were able to get a mortgage loan on their home. Currrent bank interest rates at the time were 7%. Staff rates 4%!! My husband and myself were buying our first property! Was I permitted to have a staff rate mortgage??
NO!!! Not for females!! I had worked there for 10 years and had a good position!!! And my husband had his own successful business!! But no - nuffin!!
(Interesting that mortage rates at that time in NZ were going between 6-1/2% & 8%, depending on the amount borrowed, and the amount of deposit was quite high. 2nd mortgages were very popular in those days, shorter terms and higher interest, but most people required them, as the cap on the first mortgages didn't usually cut it for first home buyers.
Higher positions for women were just starting but still battling to be accepted, although salaries were still abysmally lower than those of the men.
Pregnancy wasn't a problem (as long as one was married of course

, and I continued to work up until 1 month before my 1st child was due. (And I wasn't a back room gal)

so didn't have to stay hidden!
Jeanne