Maybe it’s got something to do with the mythical image of frumpy granola spinsters of science who are devoid of other interests, disparaging color and style as useless frippery.
I mean, if the women who are currently in the careers you wish to pursue would slight you for having an eye for good design, and denigrate your seriousness for your appreciation of aesthetically pleasing objects — would you still want to be in their clogs?
Of the hubub, Dr. Isis writes:
A woman who is aggressive, or who proclaims to anyone who will listen that she has the potential to achieve great things, is not a bitch. A woman who chooses to wear high-heeled shoes is not a slut, a bimbo, or a tramp. We need not be ashamed of the things that make us women (though, granted, we all embrace and express our femininity differently and that should always be acceptable). Neither our bodies, the social/gender roles we may choose to embrace, or our decision to or not to parent children, should ever have the capacity to limit our academic success.
Zuska also responds in The Proper Way to be a Woman in Science:
“If you disagree with what Dr. Isis says about science, or you don’t care for her interest in footwear, or you simply dislike her writing style, fine. But if Dr. Isis bothers you because she “makes female scientists sound like shoe fettish ignorant bimbos” then perhaps it’s worth spending some time thinking more about why that bothers you so. Who gains, really, if Dr. Isis is required to restrain and constrain her self-expression – and what are they gaining?”
My own take, as a non-scientist, but also as a woman who is interested in science, literature, design, etc., is simply this:
I don’t expect mathematicians to only discuss numbers, just like I don’t expect chefs to only be interested in food, in much the same way I would be dreadfully incapable of maintaining a worthwhile friendship with an artist who would only talk about her medium and focus area. I expect the people I surround myself with to be well-rounded. Why would my friends in science fields be any different?
Isn’t it refreshing to know that there are fashionistas out there who not only love science but have careers in it? Fashionista scientists! Tell your nieces and little sisters! Having other interests, even in fashion does not make them ill-suited for engineering, math, and science. These are fields that are certainly big enough to be inclusive. Let’s not push anyone away from such important careers because they speak to a different (and new, and much needed) audience!
