I would appreciate any input you all may have.
I attend an HBCU, where I am a member of the Naval ROTC unit. This program allows college graduates to become commissioned officers upon graduation. I love this program, it's physically and mentally challenging, it allows me the oppurtunity to see the WORLD when I graduate, and it requires huge amounts of discipline.
This is my dilema. I am 1 of only 2 females in my class, and to add to that I am the only female who actively participates in class, attends regularly, and does her work. For the longest time everyone, and I mean EVERYONE (including my best friend in the program) expected me to quit. Why? Because I am female, or as they put it too feminine. (As though I'm supposed to give up my womanhood and become G.I. Jane to please them
). To make matters worse, whenever the professor tells us stories about Naval life he always refers to men, then pauses, looks at me and goes "oh yeah and women".
Like I am the downfall of the Navy or something. I don't want to be singled out, I have met (and in most cases exceeded) all of the qualifications to be in this program. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to change the sexist atmosphere in such a structured environment? Do you know of anyone who has experienced this?
Thanks in Advance,
Me
[This message has been edited by Nubian (edited November 23, 2000).]
Women in the Military
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