Achieve Quote by Virginia Gildersleeve
“There was danger at times that women might not be judged by the highest standards, but more leniently because of their sex. "She is a remarkably good chemist--for a woman," you might hear a man say. It seemed to me essential, if the ablest young women scholars were to achieve the best work of which they were capable, that they should be held to the most rigorous standards. ...To advance, a woman must do at least as good work as her male colleagues, usually better.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the American Association of University Women, 1935
Women must be judged by the same rigorous standards as men; any leniency undermines their potential and progress
In simple terms: Women need equal standards to succeed
Key Takeaway
Uphold high standards for women
Themes
gender equality
education
meritocracy
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic hiring
- research funding
- career advancement
- peer review
Key Concepts
feminism
bias
excellence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions enforce equal standards?
- What barriers remain for women scholars?
A Different Perspective
Societal bias may still favor men despite standards
