I am currently enrolled in a class for my General Education Science requirement. The other day, the professor said something incredibly sexist in class. I tried to forget about it. I really did. But it has been really bothering me because the more I talk about it, the more other women share similar and worse stories with me about overt sexism from their male educators. And I've had enough.

We were in lab on Tuesday, and in order to construct a magnet, we had to cut a small piece of wood with a hand saw (which I've totally done before, by the way; thank you Theatre Crafts). As the professor was demonstrating, he told us "girls" not to let the guys cut our wood for us. We need to learn to do it ourselves. His wife made him learn to change diapers when his children were born, so this is his "revenge." He ended with, "Sorry for the sexism."

Yeah. I'm sorry about sexism, too.

Dear Professor,

I am writing because what you said in class was inappropriate and hurtful. I tried to forget about it, but it has stuck with me. I already feel insecure and out of place in a class about science and technology, and suddenly, now, I'm afraid to say anything or do anything wrong, because I'm afraid it will be blamed on my gender. I constantly have to question what else you assume I cannot do because I am a woman.

The implication that I will not know how to use tools and men will is based on stereotypes, and I do not appreciate that. I am not a stereotype, and I deserve more respect from my educators. The implication that I would ever try to coerce a male student to do my work for me is a slap in the face to the strides women have made in education.

I have a deep respect for women in STEM fields who have to defy these stereotypes every day. I do not think I could do it. It would wear me down too quickly, having to work twice as hard to be taken half as seriously.

I know you've been a professor for a long time, but I would implore you, in the future, to be more conscious of the possible effects of the words you say from a position of power. As an educator, you have a greater responsibility than most to empower young minds with the knowledge they need to make the world better.

I, like, all of your female students, deserve an apology.

Respectfully yours,

Deana Velandra

I would like to send this to this professor, but I will not, because I'm worried about being treated differently. Then again, I am now noticing more and more the ways he already treats me differently compared to my male counterparts. He talks to them like men; he talks to me like a child.

As a woman, I am used to being underestimated. While this incident was sexist, it was not the most sexist experience I've had all week. It was simply the most overtly sexist, and concerned me the most because it came from someone employed by my school, which I love.

We have to start calling these instances out as much as possible. It may seem small to some, but comments like these come from the underlying biases which eventually effect relationships, families, jobs, wages, policies, elections, etc.

So, to women everywhere, especially women of STEM, keep fighting the good fight. Break the stereotypes. Know that I am with you, and you are worth more than peoples' expectations of you.