Dear Lynn:

Thank you for writing this message that reflects so well my own feelings about the experience.  I certainly felt the twinge of recognition as Ms. Clinton was belittled, ignored, or joked about simply because she's a woman in a place where a woman has never been before.  It stings as if I were being personally insulted.  

I too had hoped that this era of sexism was over, but I think it's just more subtle now, and I've surrounded myself with men who are at least superficially respectful.  But who knows what they do at those all-guy meetings? 

Just a few days ago I congratulated a proud male CEO of a just-launched biotech company....and pointed out that he had no women on his scientific board.  He really had not noticed... 

But it's getting generally better, I think.  I hope.  

Best regards,
Jeanne Loring

-----------------------------------
printed with permission of:

Jeanne F. Loring, Ph.D.

Professor of Developmental Neurobiology

Director, Center for Regenerative Medicine

The Scripps Research Institute 

La Jolla, CA