This study investigated the (1) relationship of students' family and educational background to their opinions of fashion retailing as a career, and (2) preferences for fashion retail job attributes in relationship the appeal of fashion retail job profiles. A sample of 131 fashion merchandising students from five state-funded universities completed a four-part survey which measured two independent variables: student background and preferences of fashion retail job attributes and two dependent variables: opinions of fashion of retailing as a career and the appeal of fashion retail job profiles. Analyses included multiple regression, t-test, and correlations. For opinions of fashion retailing as a career, parental background was not significant while attendance at a retailing course, semester hours completed and G.P.A. had limited relationships. Fashion retail job attribute preferences were related to the appeal of fashion retail job profiles; the most preferred attribute was high personal freedom.

Text of acceptance speech given by Barbara C. Jordan for the Margaret Brent Award, given by the American Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession, about the advancement of women in the field of law.