I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Mary Marcel of the IDCC department, regarding women empowerment and the experience of women students, faculty, and staff. Our conversation was lively and very helpful! Here is some of what we talked about, which includes some great lessons and pieces of advice, especially about being a strong female in a male-dominated environment.
HC: Do you have any advice for female students in a primarily male university or workplace, so that they do not feel intimidated to speak their minds?
MM:I went to school at a University that had only integrated women nine years before I got there – the University of Virginia. Not a single woman professor taught there, until I went to graduate school.
My advice to you is to never, ever, under any circumstances, let anyone not take you seriously just because you’re a woman. There is never a reason for you not to speak up and make your contribution, and there is no reason to be intimidated.
Men may try to push back, but keep in mind, all embryos start at female. Men can be more verbally challenging toward women, but women having a quick sense of humor and being able to zing right back has always worked well for me. Show men that you can play – show them that you’re in the game with them and that they don’t own any more of it then you do. They will be more likely to take you seriously. Having two brothers and a very tough father gave me an advantage and allowed me to develop these skills from a young age. Many women find it distressing to show this tougher side, but you don’t have to be mean or nasty – being funny helps. I don’t care who the smartest man in the room is – he’s never going to be the smartest woman in the room.
My last piece of advice: look after your girlfriends. Make sure that you have time together, space together, do things together, fight or flight together – it makes a big difference.
HC: What are some resources young women can turn to when they are faced with challenges, need help, or want to express their opinion?
MM: First, my strong advice is to look around and pay attention in order to become friends with faculty members that you respect and feel are supportive. Faculty, both men and women, are an underutilized resource at Bentley. I have never taught before at a place where faculty care so much about students. Get to know the faculty member and then if something comes up, you will be able to go to them. A student once came to me with a problem and said “I think you’re a really strong woman and I want to talk to you about this.” If you have a professor that you feel really gets it, then that is someone you want to really get to know
I am also a huge fan of the Counseling and Student Development Center (CSD).If you broke your leg, you would do everything possible get yourself an ambulance to the emergency room. College years are so intense, up and down, and you can really get shaken up. That’s like getting your leg broken, but we don’t think about it that way. That’s what counseling is for – to help you get through those issues and develop your life.
I’m a huge fan of the Office for Academic Services, too. Honestly, I think they know everything about everything at Bentley – you would be hard-pressed to have a question that they can’t find an answer to. You do have to make an appointment, but it’s because they are popular!
The Multicultural Center (MCC)is also another great resource. Claudette Blot and Jeannette Buntin are amazing resources and really strong female role models for Bentley students.
I love the folks that work in all of these places, even just as human beings. I think that students can really benefit from meeting with them and going to them for help. It really does make a difference to reach out if you’re ever having issues. The thing that makes hard times harder is being isolated and not asking for help. Stay connected. There are professors and staff members at Bentley that would really move mountains for students and help students in all kinds of situations.
Follow your instincts – you feel comfortable with them, if they make you laugh, or if you like the way they see the world. Get to know them and then you can go to them when you have a problem.
HC: Since you have been at Bentley, have you seen an improvement of the representation of women on campus?
MM: Yes, absolutely. I moved here in California in 1992 and the first winter I was here people kind of yelled at me for wearing pants. So I had to make space for myself in that way. Now we have a woman president and women vice presidents. This is great because it shows women that it is possible to reach success.
However, none of the challenges go away simply from having women in the top office. Ironically, despite being a 60/40 campus, in terms of the C-suite level – Bentley looks a lot better than some of the other universities. There are probably many more female faculty members, which is great for both female and male students. I always think it’s great for men to have the experience of having a woman in charge.
HC: What is the most memorable experience that you’ve had throughout your career?
MM: My proudest moment was getting my first book published in 2005. I had a woman editor and my book is not well-known yet, but it will be.
Mary teaches IDCC classes at Bentley and is also on the GB faculty committee. Her book is entitled “Freud’s Traumatic Memory”and can be found here. Mary welcomes students to reach out to her via email at mmarcel@bentley.edu!