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?

Surgery especially is still a very hard field for women. Especially a woman who, like Nora, would also like a meaningful family life.

I am glad that there is some progress in women entering the field, but I still feel that it is heavily dominated by men.

I am not too far into the book. However I have a great admiration and appreciation for Nora’s perseverance. She came from humble and troubled beginnings and struggled as a young girl to fit in and find her place in the world without the benefit of her family. Like many real life examples, she is proof that staying true to yourself and never giving up reaps huge rewards. It’s also proof that “not everybody else Is out to get her”. All too often people who are dealt the short end of the stick think that everyone is out to get… Read more »

As a woman who works in a male dominanted field. I could relate to Nora and the sentiment that she is not a typical woman. Hard work and not shying away from the difficult or dirty work to build confidence with those you work with but not the industry as a whole rings true.

Of course. Women still have problems in many men dominated fields. Progress is slow.

It really highlights how incredibly brave the women that did push back had to be during those times. Those skilled in healing could be considered witches and killed or could be thrown in jail without any form of real justice. Not to mention that society would banish, family might disown them and even to the point where people such as food vendors would shun them. In a flash they could be living on the streets with no support.

Nora was an unusual character in her time and did have an eccentric upbringing. I appreciate that education is open to all today. I appreciate that women can be whatever they want to be. However, we are all still subject to the effects of systems of oppression and tradition. Nora was nurtured for STEM pursuits by Dr. Croft, unintentionally at first. This only goes to show how important exposure and nurturing curiosity are! It also illustrates how important it is to rethink systems to discover wisdom.

It is often said, the more things change the more they stay the same. I really admire Nora for the strength of character and for her passion for learning. I think in a way the parallels lies in the freedom of personal choice. Regardless of circumstances often times we sacrifice opportunities because of familial, and societal factors. Nora made decisions that even in modern times are difficult. To leave her community, family, and the security a marriage would have offered her,
for the sake of pursuing her radical truth is very inspiring.

Medical school is still an “old boys club”. Not easy for qualified women or POC to get admitted.

Female surgeons are still not common.

As I listened to the story, I kept thinking it should come with trigger warnings, it is so relevant to current issues. Nora is clearly equal to her male counterparts in her abilities, yet is denied volition as the ( old, white) men in power control her fate. The book even illustrates the horrors that ensue when a woman is unable to get a legal abortion. Listening to the book, I feared I was getting a preview of my future in America, as a woman.

Yes, I see parallels. There are still many male-dominated fields that are difficult or illegal for women to enter despite being just as qualified, if not more qualified. Women still have to make difficult choices between jobs/careers and family based on many factors. Like some of you have commented, the recognition, acceptance, and pay of women in male-dominated fields is usually less than what men enjoy. Some progress has been made as there are now more career choices, educational opportunities, less legal and societal restrictions, and more societal support.

There are still many fields of medicine that have few women. Women are still discouraged for going out of the women’s path.

Yes. I think women in the sciences today are still not at the level of men. Or I should maybe say, they do not get the recognition. There are & were brilliant women in the sciences in the past, and only now are they coming into notice.

Woman in any work force today have to deal with men that does not respect them.
Woman in medicine are still fighting to prove they are just as good or even better than men.