Math, Science, and Girls

     In 1947, a 17 year old young woman graduated from high school in Upstate, NY.   Having an A+ average, she was accepted into New York University.  The following fall, she traveled down to the city to begin her studies in biology.  Two months after receiving her degree, she accepted a job working in the cancer research labs at Sloan-Kettering.  In time, she was in charge of an entire lab.  Who is she?  She is my mother.

    I am perplexed by stories about young women not choosing careers studies in math and science.  So much is discussed and written in terms of the society preventing females from following this path.  While I don’t disagree that there may still be some obstacles out there, I do believe that the family has the biggest impact on the choices of our girls.   My mother’s family didn’t totally understand why she chose to study biology.  They thought nursing was a more viable option.  Yet, they did not prevent her from choosing her major.  The same followed for me and my siblings.  Whatever choices we made regarding school or career was ours to make.

     The fact that I had a parent who was allowed to make such a decision played a huge factor in knowing that I had the freedom to go into science.   My younger sister also made the same choice and became a successful engineer.   The achievement in math and science in my family was considered a good thing, and not something to disregard because we were girls.  I remember at the time some of my peers not having the same encouragement.  Their families felt that it was wiser for their daughters to work in a more traditional female job.  That is perfectly acceptable if it is the choice of the young woman, but if she has the talent and the interest to pursue areas pertaining to math and science, the opportunities are abundant.

     Society is not telling our girls they are not good at math and science.  That is a myth that has been handed down through the years.   Lest we forget the thousands of women who went to work during World War II working on projects that required a great deal of technical aptitude.  There have been many women who have made discoveries besides Madam Curie not present in our history books.  There are numerous female doctors, engineers, researchers, and professors who are presently working in a multitude of capacities.   There are a considerable number of female high school science teachers who present a role model to our children every day.  No one in “society” is telling our girls not to pursue their dreams.

     In 1947, a brilliant young woman walked her own path.  There were many others just like her who paved the road way before the issue of female equality was explored.  If they were able to do it during their lifetime, there is no reason why women today can’t as well.  It takes determination, hard work, encouragement, and a desire to live out a chance of fulfillment.  Let us stop telling stories about women not doing something because of society, and start telling about women who do because they can.

Inspiration Comes from Talent

Cover via Amazon

     My 11-year- old daughter has been bitten by the stage bug.  For some time now, she has stated that she wants to be a performer when she grows up.   It isn’t about fame, but the pure enjoyment of being on stage.   In her young mind, the best situation would be to perform and still be able to walk around without being harassed.   That is not the case with some of her peers.  She has already experienced kids her age dropping out of shows and choruses if they don’t get a major part.  She has seen kids who dance studio hop if they don’t appear to be labeled the star.   Recently we had an insightful conversation centering on the theme of accepting the role you are given, and enjoying the experience of being part of something.   What stunned me was the source she quoted as an inspiration.

     We were in the car (of course), talking about the above topic, when she stated the following.

“The lady on the TV said that if you don’t have expectations, then you are never disappointed.”

I answered….”Who said that?”

“The lady….. the lady from Singing in the Rain.”

     One of my favorite shows is CBS Sunday Morning.  I have watched this show for many years.  It is a wonderful mix of current events, art, music, science, celebrity, small towns, big cities, and stories of hope.   The interview my daughter was referring of course was that of Debbie Reynolds who starred in among others, one of the most beloved movies of all time.  A movie that will live on for the enjoyment of generations to come.

     A triple threat, she could act, sing, and dance.  She became famous because of her talent.  I was touched that a young girl listened to a seasoned and acclaimed performer and understood her message.  I was glad that someone of this stature made an impression on my daughter and not someone closer to her own age who feels the need to take their clothes off and dance provocatively to make “history”.   History is made by greatness, and greatness has a means of passing on something to hold onto, whatever my daughter grows up to be.

 

Teen Girls Eventually Become Women

Article first published as Teen Girls Eventually Become Women on Technorati.

Pick up any magazine dealing with popular culture and no doubt there will be a story judging the weight of a young female celebrity.  She is either starving herself, or has gained a few pounds which now classifies her as fat.  While experts go on talk shows and profess that women need to accept and love themselves, the media increases the pressure to be perfect.  If you look back at history, this is somewhat of a recent phenomenon.  Stars of the past did not have to be a size 2 to make it in their industry.  Most resembled the true shape of a woman particularly as they aged.  You can’t take these girls, put them on television or the silver screen when they are under the age of 18, and then expect them to look the same forever. 

Turn on the Disney Channel or Teen Nick and you will see a number of shows starring a very attractive teenage girl.  They are tall, thin, and are the type that can wear anything and still look good.  The cast members that are heavier, wear glasses, and don’t have long flowing tresses are often the “characters” on the show.  They are goofy, funny, clumsy, or nerdy.  The beautiful teen girl is the main star, and she is a media darling.   Quite honestly, I can’t tell one from the other.  The same is true of the bevy of young movie starlets. 

Flash forward about 5 years when these girls reach the age of 18 to 20 years old.  They have changed.  They are grown up and don’t have that lanky size 2 body anymore.  She now becomes a victim of an attack by the same system that built her up.  Suddenly she is not to admired for her talent, but is only noticed for what it might say on the scale.  Pictures are taken of them eating or drinking.  The paparazzi waits to snap a picture of them in a bathing suit.  The sad part  is that they are still a far cry from being overweight.  They have become women, and their bodies reflect the change.

Would Marilyn Monroe be a star today?  How about Sophia Loren or Elizabeth Taylor?  Would their womanly figures have kept them off the screen?   Would Christie Brinkley have become one of the most famous supermodels of all time, or would her athletic body kept her off those covers?  Would we have ever heard the magnificent voices of Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Joan Sutherland, Kate Smith, or Aretha Franklin?   When did thin become a requirement for talent, and why does it seem to apply only to women? 

Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, and Gabourey Sidibe are stars that come to mind stating they are not going to obsess about their weight.  They continue to work, and provide an example to other young women that you are more than your dress size.  That society should not determine your value, and that everyone, regardless of their shape or size, has much to contribute to this world.  This is a lesson we must teach our girls.  It the responsibility of all women to lead the way.