In order to be rated as good as a good man in the field of her earnings, she must show herself better than he. She must be more steady, or more trustworthy, or more skilled, or more cheap in order to have the same chance of employment.

In this quote, Florence Kelley addresses the systemic inequality and discrimination that women faced in the workforce, particularly in comparison to men. She argues that in order for a woman to be considered as competent and worthy of the same opportunities as a man in the same field, she must go above and beyond. Kelley suggests that a woman is often required to be better than her male counterparts—whether through being more steady, more trustworthy, more skilled, or even more cost-effective—in order to be considered for the same employment opportunities.

Kelley’s statement reflects the social and economic inequalities women faced in the labor force during her time, where women were often undervalued and expected to prove their worth through extraordinary efforts. She highlights the double standards that exist when comparing women to men in terms of employment and pay, where women had to outperform men simply to be treated equally, despite performing the same job.

The quote also emphasizes the unfair nature of these expectations, which placed an unnecessary burden on women to demonstrate superiority in various areas just to have the same chance of being employed. Kelley’s focus on the need for women to be “more” than men to secure a job reflects the broader gender inequality present in society, which continued to hinder women’s economic independence and opportunities.

Ultimately, Florence Kelley's quote underscores the need for equal opportunities and recognition of women’s abilities in the workforce. It serves as a critique of the societal systems that force women to jump through additional hoops to prove their worth, advocating for a future where men and women are judged equally based on their skills and competence, rather than having to be “better” simply to have a chance at success.