In comments to the National Bureau of Economic Research on January 14, 2005, Harvard University President Lawrence Summers suggested that innate genetic differences limit women’s ability to succeed in technical subjects like math and science. Further, he argued that the highest faculty positions at elite colleges and universities require more time, energy, and commitment than women - who are considered the primary caretakers of family - are able to give. In sum, Summers’ offered the impression that while discrimination might play a role in thwarting women’s advances in the math and science arena, genetic makeup and rigid societal roles might largely impact women’s success.
On January 19, 2005, Summers issued an apology for his comments, stating that during the course of this debate he has come to realize “the very real barriers faced by women pursuing scientific and other academic careers.” He also commented that, “While in recent years there have been some strides forward in attracting more women into the front ranks of science, the progress overall has been frustratingly uneven and slow. Spurring greater progress is a critical challenge.”
AAUW couldn’t agree more.
While we may be nearing the end of this particular controversy, this incident should renew the critical call for promoting equity in education and in the workplace. AAUW has been a leader in this fight since 1881, and our commitment today is as strong as it was in 1885 when our members published research dispelling a Boston physician’s contention that education was harmful to women’s health.
To create change, we need your help. Use the resources below to understand the challenges that women still face, build your ability to discuss the issues and confront the stereotypes, and involve your local media in exploring these issues.
Re-commit yourself to action on behalf of women and girls – because equity is still an issue.
Get the facts about issues facing women in education and the workplace
- Tenure Denied: Cases of Sex Discrimination in Academia: Of the faculty at colleges and universities offering four-year degrees, only 27 percent of those awarded tenure are women. A lack of transparency, unclear standards, and biased behavior and decision-making in the tenure process contribute to this problem. Find out why this problem persists and get recommendations for colleges and universities to remedy the issue.
- Gains in Learning, Gaps in Earnings: Women have made remarkable strides in education during the past three decades, but these gains have yet to translate into full equity in pay - even for college-educated women who work full time. A typical college-educated woman working full time earns $44,200 a year compared to $61,800 for college-educated male workers - a difference of $17,600! Learn how this gap plays out in your state and find ways to help close the gap.
- Women at Work: Women have achieved parity with men in obtaining four-year college degrees and are more likely to work in managerial and professional careers today than twenty years ago, but they are not sufficiently prepared to move into the better-paying, higher-status, and fastest-growing occupations, including systems analysts, software designers, and engineers – find out why and how you can help change this.
Open a dialogue about these issues in your community
Contact your local media and encourage them to cover these issues
Become a member of AAUW – because equity is still an issue
Questions? Media Inquiry? Interview Request?
Contact Rebecca Leaf at 202/785-7738 or e-mail leafr@aauw.org.
