History of Feminism

Our experiences were very similar. I was born in 1943.

I also remember when I discovered (in high school) that my grades on science tests were not as high as those of the boys even when my answers were correct - often more correct than theirs because I explained my work. The excuse given to me by my male teacher was that he only gave As to the boys in the class because I would be taken care of by my husband and the boys needed good grades to go on to college.

As it happened, I did marry after undergrad studies, but then went to grad school and, for the most part ended up supporting Husband #1 and our children until we finally decided to separate amicably after 13 years. I then went on to a grad business major and, while working at a better-paying job than teaching, met Husband #2. Then I went to law school. H#2 and I are still together after nearly 35 years.

I have been one of the very fortunate ones. Too many of my high school female classmates fell victim to that science teacher's self-fulfilling prophecy and stopped their formal studies after high school altogether. There was very little difference between them and me except that my parents had instilled a desire and a responsibility in me to study so that I could take care of myself - at the very least - and at best try to do some good in the world beyond my immediate surroundings.