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Ninah's avatar

I feel the crux of the matter lies in childhood education. I was lucky enough to be raised in an all-girls parochial school (with just an average IQ). We only had to compete with ourselves and mostly had women teachers. So we learned how to speak up, have integrity, and still be compassionate and strive for intellectual goals. We couldn’t graduate without doing charity work. It was tough and thoroughly stimulating.

After two years at an all-women’s college I went to work to earn money to finish my college education. I couldn’t believe the nonsense going on at the workplace. Women being subservient to men who made terrible decisions. So I bounced around a bit. Then when I went back to university, I was

called out by the women in my classes for raising my hand too often when I knew the answer to a question - just like the men. But instead of becoming subservient myself, I suggested the women just study harder so they can raise their hands too. Of course the women were taken aback, and clearly didn’t follow my lead.

None of it made any sense to me. The teachers even told me I was intimidating. I asked why they didn’t say that of the men in the class? They went silent.

Finally, I got a masters in librarianship. I met a slew of brilliant women and formed fast friendships. But the men always got jobs first, and at a much higher pay than women. That never made sense to me.

Finally I left jobs where I had to deal with others prejudices, and became an entrepreneur who helps people. I challenge myself all day, I love to do research on things I don’t understand and my clients trust me. I’ve found my nitch.

Culture plays a huge role in how women perceive themselves. The class of women who attended my school mostly became entrepreneurs or went into management. We like to show up to reunions for the camaraderie.

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Cathy Pyrek's avatar

It's not just a matter of girls acquiring the belief that they're not as smart as boys. Boys become dismissive of girls, because they believe we are lesser. The pattern of girls not striving to achieve in large numbers prevails in part because boys exclude girls. The hard work required for girls to achieve includes a measure of fighting against a social resistance that boys do not encounter. And this doesn't even consider skin tone.

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