Do you see any parallels between Nora's situation in the nineteenth century and today?

Nora is one of only a few women in a field dominated by men. Do you see any parallels between her situation in the nineteenth century and today?

Absolutely. It would be disingenuous to suggest women are viewed as equals to men, specifically in the medical field. We are a long way from complete equality but we are of course much closer than we were in the 19th century.

I agree with dianac. And what's equally disturbing is how women are still treated when they "speak up" for themselves and are almost forced to defend their conduct and behavior. Certainly we are better off than Nora was in the 1800's but we still have a long way to go.

I totally agree with dianac and melissa. Women have come a long way, but there is still a long road to travel.

I agree with dianac and melissa we have come a long way. More opportunities are now open for women but we often hear that men usually make more money, get the promotions.

Glass ceilings continue to be broken today thanks to those who refuse to accept the status quo to be the final word. Even as far as any group has come, there will always remain progress to be made by those willing to do the hard work necessary to achieve those goals.

We have come a long way in medicine. As an Internsl Medicine physician in private practice for the past 20 years I don’t see much or any discrimination against women now. Maybe in other areas such as surgery or other specialties. As a private practitioner, I make what I earn/ charge regardless of gender. This may differ if someone is employed or in academics. Women make up slightly over 50% of physicians in medical school classes from what I have read. I have been out 20 years and I’m far removed from school or academics. In my opinion, we have it much better than Nora did!

It's interesting that I just watched the Inspiring America episode (Lester Holt) last night and one of the pieces focused on the role of women in professional sports. Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs was interviewed as well as Adia Barnes (Arizona University women's basketball head coach) and their fight, while in a much different field than medicine, is quite similar. Barnes said when she and her husband travel as a family, her husband is frequently assumed to be the coach. Despite our progress, we have a long way to go.

I agree with dianac and Melissa that we have come a long way but women still are not equal in certain work environments though many advances have and continue to occur in the corporate, government, .education, and non-profit sectors of the economy and society in general. Also women can now get an education and college degree

I have been fortunate in my 78 years of life never to have felt discriminated against as a woman. In fairness, I think it is because my father never treated us differently or acted as though we could not achieve and do anything a man could. As a result, I may not have noticed men's condensation! LOL I have been the only woman teaching in a high school science department of six teachers, have been one of only five female Customs' Inspectors on the Canadian border at a station in Vermont, have been a business office representative for the Telephone Company among other positions. Have there been men threatened by me, yes, but I ignored them and did my job. I've worked for male and female supervisors and, in all honesty, the females were much less pleasant with whom to work

I think it's good to read books like The Girl in His Shadow to show us how far women have come. When you learn how restrictive things were in the 1800s, you realize how many strides we have made. I've seen a lot of changes in my 55 years (I'm a woman) and I don't think women have so far to go.

Unfortunately, my answer is yes. The world is still very much ruled by men as it was over a century ago. While women have achieved much success and broken many glass ceilings, women still experience discrimination and harassment. I appreciated the opportunities, support and treatment Dr. Croft gave Nora,as well as the eventual acceptance of Nora by other male characters. While these men were very much in the minority, it shows that there has been men throughout history that see a person’s ability rather than their gender. Yet, in 2021 women continue to suffer discrimination and harassment from men who do not want women as their equals. We especially find these attitudes in areas where men remain in the majority of members and leaders in a field, such as the military and in medicine when women’s complaints are still seen as “being in their heads”. Women continue to have a ways to go to be considered equals by some men.

Somewhat as a woman Engineer I’ve often experienced men taking my ideas and presenting it as their own, while I work in the background - as someone who prefers to not be out front it was not really an issue but sometimes it bothered me - in general I believe men are still in power but it’s ALOT better than it used to be

Absolutely! Women have made great inroads but there is still a lot of work to be done. Nora was being held back by both society and the law. The fact that the men around her were willing to take credit for her accomplishments in order to protect her reputation was very telling. As we have seen on numerous occasions women throughout history have been denied credit for some of our biggest accomplishments.

Yes for many of the reason above but definite improvement from actions taken by women and men with actions such as the suffragette movement and in the courts with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other male and female lawyers and judges.