It is hinted that she may or may not have had a sexual relationship with him. The subject of the pill is introduced when Joan sends Peggy over to her OB/GYN, Walter Emerson. As the season progresses, we see Joan act as the number one source for advice, especially for the young women at the office. In Season One, Joan is first seen ushering an innocent and naive Peggy Olson into her new job as secretary to Don Draper. Joan exudes an air of extreme competence, able to cope with any situation professionally and discreetly. She is also seen in important meetings with the Head of Staff and reminding the male executives of their duties to their clients. Her daily responsibilities include tending to the needs of the executives and managing and assisting her fellow secretaries. Joan is introduced as Sterling Cooper's Office Manager, who also oversees the secretarial and steno pool. In terms of Joan's personal history, we do know that she has had two abortions in the past before her pregnancy with Kevin one was practiced by a licensed physician and the other was performed by a woman who "said she was a mid-wife." She later was one of the early users of the birth control pill, introduced in 1960, and connects Peggy with a doctor who will prescribe the pill for her, which is difficult because it was initially only offered to married women with their husband's permission (" The Good News") In " The Forecast", Joan confesses to Richard that she has had 2 divorces, meaning that she had a brief marriage sometime before 1960, in addition to her later marriage to Greg. We do know at some point Joan did go to college, by reason of Carol, her roommate in Season 1, who confesses her secret love for Joan. Little is known about her father or his whereabouts during her childhood. In the episode " A Little Kiss, Part 2" it is suggested that Gail has a drinking problem, though it is not explored any further. It is not until Season 5 when we learn that Joan was raised by her mother, Gail Holloway, a woman who is supportive of her but their relationship at times appears to be somewhat tempestuous. Little of Joan's early life is mentioned within the series. She is one of the Junior Partners at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Holloway was the office manager at Sterling Cooper advertising agency. Office Manager at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency (former) Sales Assistant at Bonwit Teller (former) Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency (former)įounding and Junior Partner and Accounts Executive at Sterling Cooper & Partners (current)ĭirector of Agency Operations and Founding and Junior Partner and Accounts Executive at Sterling Cooper & Partners (former)ĭirector of Agency Operations and Founding and Junior Partner at Sterling Cooper & Partners (former)ĭirector of Agency Operations and Junior Partner at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (former)ĭirector of Agency Operations at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (former)