Is a woman with a great plan both hard to ignore and easy to criticize?

O'Brien states: "Elder was about to prove two points: a woman with a good plane and a bold plan was impossible to ignore – and easy to disparage." Do you think this dichotomy exists in modern society? Is a woman with a great plan both hard to ignore and easy to criticize?

Yes, so much more than a man. These events occurred about one hundred years ago, but society changes slowly. Many of the double standards are still very active and affecting women. As one of the comments notes, female politicians are characterized as irrational, hysterical or shrill when they do the same things a man does. Nancy Pelosi and AOC have both been hard to ignore and are actively criticized. It is likely just by doing their jobs as representatives of their constituents they have gained active targets of criticism, even hate.

I think anyone with a great plan is easy to criticize and hard to ignore. Actually I think it was eaiser to ignore a woman than a man given that men were (and are) able to attract more attention and raise money for their big ideas. The pioneers in aircraft design were also criticized, e.g. Thalen who introduced the metal aircraft which many believed would be too heavy to ever fly safely.

A hundred years later and women are still fighting to be equal. Easy to ignore and a target for critics.,

Even though women have come a long way from the era of this book we are still not equal. Yes, those of us who have great plans are both hard to ignore and easy to criticize, even by other women.

Some things have never changed and I wonder if they ever will.

I agree with most of the other comments. Even today women are judged in ways men are not. Aside from being judged for their personalities and how they act in a certain role woman are also judged by how they look, dress, speak, sound and pitch of voice and mannerisms. I believe a lot of the criticism has little do to with how well the person is performing in their role.

I couldn't agree more with all the comments here. Women are judged not by just the job they do or the ideas they have, but by the way they act, dress, look...appearance is judged more for women. Women who are strong willed and firm in their opinions are judged as obstinate or too harsh, where a man would be considered a brilliant business man.

I do not mean to be rude but I did not answer this question and many others for my responses are different then the majority. This is America and everyone has the right to their own opinion. The reason Nancy Pelosi is given harsh treatment is for her actions, not because she is a woman. Again, everyone is entitled to their own view point.

So true! Women are very passionate for their great plans, causes and events. Men call them "crazy", "overbearing", "unreasonable", etc., etc. While in the planning mode, it's okay. But when something really happens, and maybe the plan has some flaws or different outcomes, then men are quick to criticize. Racing planes was just sport for men, for our lady pilots it was a mission. Takes a woman with "thick skin" and determination to overcome!!

Good point RuthEh! Thick skin is a necessary tool for life. You're right about overcoming. The ladies are perfect examples of this. Nothing is easy. Again, it like what you said.

I do think women who have a great plan and are willing to be insistent that they are heard are often the target of those who feel threatened. Women are a powerful, coalescing force in a society and their plans and ideas must be heard!