When Is A Doctor Not A Doctor?
A recent news article about Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign raised a question that I have wondered about for years. It seems that Clinton's determination to shatter the ultimate glass ceiling is resulting in a backlash of sexism. A lot of people (and not all of them men) won't vote for a woman for president simply because she is a woman.
This is a troubling sign when we consider the long way women have come from the days, in the not too distant past, when they weren't even allowed to go to college. The article quoted several professional women who find rampant sexism in their daily lives, even today. A college professor with a doctorate in English said she had to constantly remind students to call her Dr. Smith - the way they addressed male professors - rather than Nancy or Mrs. Smith.
This reminded me of when I worked in the operating room as a scrub nurse. We had very few female surgeons at the time, and they were all addressed by the first names. This was not from the men, mind you, but from the female staff. The locker rooms in those days were not labeled "Men" and "Women" but "Doctors" and Nurses." So female surgeons had to get changed in the nurses' locker room. And there, in the mornings, amid the chatter and sounds of lockers slamming, I would hear other nurses saying, "Hi Judy," to a surgeon who had just come in.
It always appalled me. Why did female surgeons not receive the same respect as the male surgeons did? I asked a few of the nurses, and they said they were just being friendly. I countered with, "You don't show the same friendliness to Dr. Alexander. Why don't you call him Charlie?"
I never got a good answer.
A few years ago a neighbor was complaining to me about a rash that wouldn't go away. I told him I knew of a great dermatologist who would certainly be able to help him. He was enthusiastic until I started to give him her name. He held up a hand and said, "No woman. I want to go to a real doctor."
I explore this issue in those novels of mine which involve women in medicine - Domina, Vital Signs, Virgins of Paradise, Green City In the Sun - and the one I am currently writing, Black Opal. Sexism and prejudice against women in any profession is a mystery to me, and until someone comes up with a good explanation, I will continue to bring up the question of why women doctors are not considered to be "real" doctors. Or why a woman can't be President.
Image Source: wethewomen.org
