Yenor’s comments ignore the tremendous impact of women in science, law and politics
I was both astonished and appalled to learn about Boise State University political science professor Scott Yenor’s recent remarks about women and higher education. Here we have an educated man unapologetically denigrating women’s workplace contributions and the importance of post-secondary education.
Yenor’s comments got me thinking. What would our world look like if he and his ilk had his way? If women were, as Yenor said, discouraged from entering the fields of medicine, law, and engineering?
Perhaps, instead of developing the theory of radioactivity, discovering radium and polonium, and saving countless lives during World War I with her mobile radioactivity units, Marie Curie would have remained home, content to support her husband, Pierre.
Rosalind Franklin, the English chemist, would not have conducted her pioneering DNA research. Mathematician Ada Lawrence would not have developed the model for what would become the computer. Chemist Stephanie Kwolek wouldn’t have invented Kevlar, the remarkable material used in everything from tennis rackets to bullet-proof vests, tires, armored cars, and parachute lines.
Brilliant attorneys, such as Sandra Day O’Conner and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, would not have had such an indelible impact on our society and individual lives. And so on.
I have the honor of working with accomplished women – scientists, engineers, and researchers – who are making incredible contributions to our nation’s efforts to produce clean energy and protect national security. Yenor not only insulted the accomplishments of women throughout history but also those contributing so much to our nation today.
The one thing I can appreciate about Yenor’s comments is that, in a nation divided, they offended across the political spectrum. Yenor didn’t specifically mention public policy, but it’s not difficult to discern that if the law, engineering, and medicine are off limits to the fairer sex, running for office likely should be discouraged as well.
That, of course, disdains the incredible job being done by the mayors of Idaho Falls and Boise, women who are leading their cities with skill and dignity, and state legislators such as Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, and many more. Even Yenor’s boss, BSU President Marlene Tromp, is a woman. It’s too bad Maggie Thatcher isn’t around to give Yenor the tongue-lashing he deserves.
The truly insidious part of this is the message Yenor – and those who support his comments – sent to young women. They are being told, and not even subtly, to know their place. Stifle your dreams. The world is too big a place for you to change. I hope everyone with a bright and inquisitive daughter or granddaughter is offended by Yenor’s attempt to limit their future.
The good news is Yenor’s attempt to drag us backwards is doomed to fail. Women increasingly are taking on important roles in business, academia, science, politics, and more. Females make up a majority of students on college campuses in Idaho. Girls in public schools across our state are being encouraged to pursue STEM subjects and careers in fields that desperately need them.
Our daughters and granddaughters will not be deterred by those who would hold them down. They will dare to dream big, compete for jobs in engineering, medicine, and law, run for public office, and, at the same time, raise children who value learning, kindness, empathy, and respect for all.
This might explain why, as part of his rant, Yenor called for “de-emphasizing” our colleges and universities, which he described as the “citadels of our gynecocracy.” The way you “de-emphasize” higher education, of course, is by reducing financial support for a system that has paid the professor’s bills for more than two decades.
If Yenor truly wants to walk his talk, he should immediately resign. Doing so would save taxpayer dollars and spare Idaho the embarrassment of having him involved in the education of our young people.