By Taylor Paraboschi
In conjunction with National Equal Pay Day, the University held a lecture in the Leo A. Guthart Cultural Center Theater that addressed the common gender issues in the work force. With the theme “push for change,” five female professors from the University led a panel discussion about their experiences in a male dominated work force.
“I never felt like it was an impediment; it didn’t hold me back,” said Assistant Professor of Engineering, Saryn Goldberg when addressing the issue of gender in the workforce.
The five female professors present at the panel are skilled in various male-dominated fields such as engineering, chemistry, accounting and information technology.
According to the panel, out of 500 occupations surveyed by the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are only five occupations in which women earn the same pay as men.
The panelists addressed this statistic along with stereotyping and unfair treatment in the hour and a half long panel.
All of the panelists pushed for equal pay for women in all professions and the elimination of stereotypes and unfair treatment in the future.
“Change is usually gradual. It happens over time,” said panelist Elizabeth Venuti, Assistant Professor of Accounting.
Venuti added that change has to be fought for by both men and women. “We can’t become complacent. We have to remain firm and assertive,” she said.
The panel ended by presenting ideas about actions for change in your specialized field.
“Be a mentor,” said Professor of Chemistry Sabrina Sobel. She added that she wished she had someone to mentor her when she was entering into the chemistry field.
“Pass on the wisdom and knowledge that you have and put your mark on the field.”