2000's and 2010's
The 2000's: An Overview
During the 2000's, much of the focus of the nation was on the Iraq war. On September 11, 2001 Islamic Terrorists crashed into the World Trade Centers. Despite much of the progress of the nation during that time being devoted to the war effort, there was still progress among female roles and involvement during the first decade of the 2000's.
Through this history of America, there has been an obvious progress of women involvement in the professional field.
In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives which paved the route for the future of women politicians. In 2009, Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first female Secretary of State. She remained in that position until 2013 (3).
Even with an increase in female involvement, it was not enough. A study discussing the roles of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) explored the lack of representation of females in STEM careers and the lack of progress of recruiting women for such professions (1). There was a clear growth of women representation in science fields over the past ten years, however, there was still a smaller percentage of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers (although the women vs. men ratio in mathematics careers is almost 1:1) (2).
In July 2002, Carola Eisenberg, M.D. the first woman full dean at Harvard Medical School was a keynote speaker at the AXXS Conference held in Washington D.C. Her speech focused on how "Women Have Saved Science." She makes several claims of how this is the case including that women applicants for medical school helped to keep med schools 'in business'. She also states that "We (women) make richer connections with our patients, because we are more in touch with feelings"(4). However, Eisenberg goes on to say that although women have made progress in the medical and professional fields "its far from time to declare victory and send the troops home" (5). What she said was very true. Progress continued to be made throughout the first decade of the 21st century, but there was still a long way to go.
Through this history of America, there has been an obvious progress of women involvement in the professional field.
In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives which paved the route for the future of women politicians. In 2009, Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first female Secretary of State. She remained in that position until 2013 (3).
Even with an increase in female involvement, it was not enough. A study discussing the roles of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) explored the lack of representation of females in STEM careers and the lack of progress of recruiting women for such professions (1). There was a clear growth of women representation in science fields over the past ten years, however, there was still a smaller percentage of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers (although the women vs. men ratio in mathematics careers is almost 1:1) (2).
In July 2002, Carola Eisenberg, M.D. the first woman full dean at Harvard Medical School was a keynote speaker at the AXXS Conference held in Washington D.C. Her speech focused on how "Women Have Saved Science." She makes several claims of how this is the case including that women applicants for medical school helped to keep med schools 'in business'. She also states that "We (women) make richer connections with our patients, because we are more in touch with feelings"(4). However, Eisenberg goes on to say that although women have made progress in the medical and professional fields "its far from time to declare victory and send the troops home" (5). What she said was very true. Progress continued to be made throughout the first decade of the 21st century, but there was still a long way to go.
The 2010's: An Overview
The second decade of the 21st century started out eventful in May 2011 with the killing of Osama Bin Laden, the well known terrorist and mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. In 2012 Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. With his presidency, a new health care reform act was introduced known as the Affordable Health Care Act. The purpose of this act was to make health care more affordable for Americans, therefore making it more accessible to everyone.
Perhaps this increase in demand for health care caused the increase in female physicians in the medical field.
According to a 2014 article published in PR Newswire; "Placements of female physicians increased from 26.24 percent in 2010 to 38.6 percent in 2013"(6).
With the increase in female physicians, there has also been an increase in actresses playing roles as female physicians. However, more women have been represented in TV series than in movies. Well known medical based series such as Grey's Anatomy, Emily Owens M.D., Private Practice, and Hart of Dixie all have strong lead female characters. Although there seems to be a lack female scientists and physicians in film, there are still several films where there is a strong (non-science based) female lead role. With changing societal views on women in the workforce, this continues to be more of the norm. Women used to be expected to stay home and raise the family, now it is more common for women to have careers, and even in a role reversal from earlier decades, have the husband be a 'stay at home dad'.
Perhaps this increase in demand for health care caused the increase in female physicians in the medical field.
According to a 2014 article published in PR Newswire; "Placements of female physicians increased from 26.24 percent in 2010 to 38.6 percent in 2013"(6).
With the increase in female physicians, there has also been an increase in actresses playing roles as female physicians. However, more women have been represented in TV series than in movies. Well known medical based series such as Grey's Anatomy, Emily Owens M.D., Private Practice, and Hart of Dixie all have strong lead female characters. Although there seems to be a lack female scientists and physicians in film, there are still several films where there is a strong (non-science based) female lead role. With changing societal views on women in the workforce, this continues to be more of the norm. Women used to be expected to stay home and raise the family, now it is more common for women to have careers, and even in a role reversal from earlier decades, have the husband be a 'stay at home dad'.
The Heat (2013)
The Heat, a popular film staring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthry, does not necessarily portray female leads as scientists or medical professionals, but Bullock and McCarthy's characters, as the two main lead roles of the film, portray female roles as appropriate to social norms of this time period.
The plot is based around the story of FBI Agent Ashburn (Bullock) and Special Detective Mullins (McCarthy) having to work together to take down a mobster. We quickly learn how different Ashburn and Mullins are. Ashburn is a very play by the rules, neat, straight edged, bossy woman who always seems to get what she wants. Mullins looks like one of the criminals herself. She has a foul mouth, dresses in ratty clothes, and doesn't seem to follow the rules at all. Despite this, she is excellent at her job. The two of their working styles and attitudes clash greatly, but they manage to complete the job and 'catch the bad guy.'
This film does an excellent job of NOT falling to gender stereotypes or false misrepresentations of women. Neither of the women seems materialistic, weak or flighty; all of which were how women used to be negatively portrayed. Both women are very focused on their professions and do their job well. They are treated with equal, if not more, respect in their workforce and are both in positions of leadership.
Throughout the film, the two characters build a strong friendship and request to stay as coworkers in the future. With the main focus of this film being on the careers of the two women, and showing that women can be self sufficient and successful in their own doing, it shows how far women have come in society.
The plot is based around the story of FBI Agent Ashburn (Bullock) and Special Detective Mullins (McCarthy) having to work together to take down a mobster. We quickly learn how different Ashburn and Mullins are. Ashburn is a very play by the rules, neat, straight edged, bossy woman who always seems to get what she wants. Mullins looks like one of the criminals herself. She has a foul mouth, dresses in ratty clothes, and doesn't seem to follow the rules at all. Despite this, she is excellent at her job. The two of their working styles and attitudes clash greatly, but they manage to complete the job and 'catch the bad guy.'
This film does an excellent job of NOT falling to gender stereotypes or false misrepresentations of women. Neither of the women seems materialistic, weak or flighty; all of which were how women used to be negatively portrayed. Both women are very focused on their professions and do their job well. They are treated with equal, if not more, respect in their workforce and are both in positions of leadership.
Throughout the film, the two characters build a strong friendship and request to stay as coworkers in the future. With the main focus of this film being on the careers of the two women, and showing that women can be self sufficient and successful in their own doing, it shows how far women have come in society.
References:
(1) Bystydzienski, Jill, and Sharon Bird, eds. ":Removing Barriers: Women in Academic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics." Isis98.4 (2007): 887-88. Web. Pg. 1
(2) Bystydzienski, Jill, and Sharon Bird, eds. ":Removing Barriers: Women in Academic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics." Isis98.4 (2007): 887-88. Web. Pg. 2
(3) Hendricks, Nancy. "Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (1947–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas." Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (1947–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Arkansas State University, 8 Oct. 2014. Web. 19 Nov. 2014
(4) Eisenberg, Carola. "How Far Have We Come, How Far We Still Have to Go: How Women Saved American Medicine." AXXS Conference. Washington D.C. Achieving XXcellence In Science. N.p.: National Academies, 2004. 5-12. Print.
(5) Ibid.
(6) Splice. Dir. Vinchenzo Natali. Perf. Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley and Delphine Chanéac. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2009.
(7) The Heat. Dir. Paul Feig. Perf. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. 20th Century Fox, 2013.
(1) Bystydzienski, Jill, and Sharon Bird, eds. ":Removing Barriers: Women in Academic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics." Isis98.4 (2007): 887-88. Web. Pg. 1
(2) Bystydzienski, Jill, and Sharon Bird, eds. ":Removing Barriers: Women in Academic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics." Isis98.4 (2007): 887-88. Web. Pg. 2
(3) Hendricks, Nancy. "Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (1947–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas." Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (1947–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Arkansas State University, 8 Oct. 2014. Web. 19 Nov. 2014
(4) Eisenberg, Carola. "How Far Have We Come, How Far We Still Have to Go: How Women Saved American Medicine." AXXS Conference. Washington D.C. Achieving XXcellence In Science. N.p.: National Academies, 2004. 5-12. Print.
(5) Ibid.
(6) Splice. Dir. Vinchenzo Natali. Perf. Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley and Delphine Chanéac. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2009.
(7) The Heat. Dir. Paul Feig. Perf. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. 20th Century Fox, 2013.