“In my second year on the tenure-track as an English professor at a state university in Texas, I was advised to think about my plans for university and community service to be ready for my tenure bid in four years. On my self-evaluation form that year, I stated that I planned to initiate a National Organization for Women student chapter the following year. A few days later, my department chair stopped by my office to scold me. He said, “About your plans for a NOW chapter … we don’t need any of that nonsense here in West Texas.” I was too stunned to say anything, and he left after giving me a stern look. A year later, his wife told me at a departmental party that his two daughters used to complain about his old-fashioned ideas about women’s equality, but she then said that, essentially, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I suppose she meant to express sympathy with me, but also meant to warn me not to cross him about the NOW issue.”
More here.
