People never called me “Doctor” or “Professor” when I was coaching children’s t-ball, softball or Little League – with the rare exception of “Hey Doc, catch this one!” My friends and family don’t start texts with “Doctor Reardon” or ask when I pick up the phone: “Is this Doctor Reardon?” But when I’m introduced at a professional event, at a dinner afterward or on any number of occasions, the title is often used. I might follow with, “Please call me Kathleen.” I might not. It’s a call you learn to make and it has nothing to do with snobbery.
I’m sure Jill Biden’s family members don’t greet her with “Doctor Biden” before they hug her. Neither do mine. Like all things, there’s a time and a place. But Jill Biden is a public figure. When she is introduced in public venues, people extend her the courtesy of using her well-earned title. My friend who is a general doesn’t expect me to greet her with other than her first name. But were I to introduce her to a gathering, her impressive military title would not be omitted.
Yet, here we are having to deal with whether the soon-to-be First Lady deserves to be introduced as Dr. Biden. Personally, I’m all for calling her “First Doc.” It has a nice ring. An article published in the Wall Street Journal sarcastically seeks to cast aspersions on Biden for allowing others to address her as Dr. Biden. As if she should club them if they do.
I wrote a scene in my latest crime mystery, Damned If She Does, where a male detective snickers when lead character, Shamus Doherty, refers proudly to his professor sister as “Doctor Doherty.” I didn’t think that up out of thin air. I’ve seen that snicker and I’m not alone.
I could go on about this, but it’s just more of the same written by more of the same. When women no longer need to choose between being seen as likable or accomplished, we won’t have to read or learn about pathetic attempts to demean us for sport. When will it get old? You have to wonder.
This reminds me of a time when I removed “MBA/MS” from my resume to get a job. Since it was entry level, I didn’t want to frighten the gatekeepers away by seeming overqualified. This is regrettable, as I worked very hard to complete my degree and feel very proud of the accomplishment.
Strong finish
Well said !
When will it get old? Already. When will it become extinct?
When women are equal partners represented across the gamut as our leaders who are running the world with most men trailing behind them in accomplishments and contributions – and not just the brains behind the men. Stay tuned. Biden’s more than happy to use vetted expertise and if the best man for the job is a woman, so be it. I was stumping for Hillary in my blogs from 2016 straight up until we nominated Biden. Had Hillary been a man she would have been the default Democratic nominee for 2020 just like Trump, the crooked chump is the presumed contender for 2024. The only thing that defeated Hillary in 2016 was vehement misogyny on both sides of the aisle and certainly petty hyper-criticism all over the media (thanks Mika and Joe and Jennifer Rubin, for ushering in Trump, a run away pandemic and a failed economy — how’s Trump workin for ya?!!). Hillary is still the best “man” for the job, and sadly we’re about to find that out in spades. Before the 2016 campaign, she had a 67% popularity rating in the polls, higher than any man, she was “Most Admired” person in the world for 20 years, 17 in a row, in both Gallup and CNN polls (Obama comes in a weak 8 years). What man has done this??!! But the mud was flung like a giant lawn sprinkler across the globe: “She’s untrustworthy, she’s not likeable, she’s not electable, she’s not capable, she’s dying of a disease and falls down..she has no passionate supporters (who votes for their most admired and doesn’t trust, like and wouldn’t vote for such an exemplary, (with 33 years of her taxes made public) vetted statesperson?? — The drumbeat roared with slander — whatta crock!
When women are everywhere we look, are running government from the highest echelons, front and center, we will sweep this fn gd misogyny out the back door for good.
232,000 infections just today would never have happened under Hillary’s impeccable management. How’s Trump workin for you Democrats??
We as a party are just as accountable for Trump as any Republicans! There is the finest of any minds! God how we have paid for not voting for the most experienced, expert and vetted person in our nation’s history. Obama said the same himself. But I preach to the choir, so we know, we have to out-vote these deplorables, 74 million lunatics who voted for Trump. Who knew someday an election would cost a billion dollars and a campaign win by 7 million more votes would be a “close race.”
Praise to healthcare and election workers who showed their integrity and have contributed nothing less to our nation than the saving of our Democracy!! Thank you so much for saving our country, and I know, the majority of these American patriots who saved our Democratic process — were corrupt-free women.