Last night, about 100 University students gathered in Minor Hall to hear a panel that included Sen. Emily Couric (D-Charlottesville) discuss "Women in Law and Government."
The discussion centered on the question, "How do you articulate your identity as a woman in your everyday career, or do you?" Panelists also included Lynn Sanders, associate professor of government and foreign affairs, Equal Opportunity Programs Director Karen Holt and Law School Prof. Barbara Armacost.
All four women described situations in their careers in which they faced obstacles in handling situations with men.
"It was hard being a woman because I didn't know how to act" with men upon entering the political arena, Couric said.
Now that she is older and more experienced, she "tries to approach things not as a woman but as a person," she said.
Sanders said she frequently asks the question, "Is this a battle I want to fight?
She encouraged women to maintain strong voices and challenge the men in their respective fields.
In response to a student's question, Couric said she finds it best to "assume that you can work out" the issues that arise. "Always assume there's an explanation."
Holt, who previously worked in a male-dominated field as a park naturalist, found that the only way to survive is to "be yourself."
She said that women "need to be more like 'Fargo's' Marge Gunderson," whose sense of humor and humility helped her survive in the predominantly male law enforcement field.
Armacost, experienced in both nursing and law, said "whatever you do, you're going to be seen under the lens of being a woman."
She suggested that women find a medium between the "up front" and "one of the guys" approaches to interacting with men on the job.
The panel, though made up of all white females, was diverse in its discussion of gender, third-year College student Kate Porter said.
"I was really happy that the discussion was more about humanity and not just about men versus women," Porter said.
"These issues are some of the most important discussed at the University right now," said second-year College student Ben Feldmen, one of the few males in the audience.
The Student Council Women's Affairs Committee, which organized the event as part of ongoing series, set a goal at the beginning of the year to "actively promote women's leadership issues," Committee Chairwoman Caroline Altman said.
Last night's panel ended a four-part "Female Faculty Chat" series. The University Democrats co-sponsored the event.
Other forums included a discussion on "Women in Science and Medicine," "Women in the Humanities" and "Applying Women Studies to the Real World."
The "Women in Medicine" forum spurred plans for a continuing program, based on the committee's model of student and faculty discussion, to continue addressing women's issues.
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