Women and the Sciences in the 17th and 18th Century
Women's roles were the subject of change in the 16th and 17th century, as they began to actively participate in scientific research and discussions. This change did not happen easily because a great deal of men were still reluctant to acknowledge any sort of equality. Many women proved their ability by earning doctorates like Dorothea Erxleben, who was the first woman granted a German M.D. at the University of Halle. She spoke openly about the discrimination facing her and explained how many felt that she was declaring war on men by practicing medicine, or at least attempting to deprive them of their 'privilege'. Erxleben also felt that many other women were upset by her actions because they felt she was placing herself above them. Those sentiments were in fact complete reality at the time. Johann Junker, the head of the University of Halle in 1745, firmly believed that women should limit their studies to music and the arts. Anything more than that, like attending university and perhaps receiving a doctorate, would simply attract to much attention. He even went the distance as to say that the legality of such an undertaking (women receiving a doctorate) should be investigated. Another Johann, Johann Theodor Jablons
There was still much work ahead before it would become remotely acceptable for women to study the higher sciences of medicine and astronomy, but with ideas like that of Marie Meurdrac, progress would come eventually. She stated in the forward to one of her publications, "Minds have no sex, and if the minds of women were cultivated like those of men, they would be equal to the minds of the later." Those women who did succeed were faced with ignorance of the lowest levels. It was commonly believed, and sadly enough, even published in print, that women who advanced into the study of higher sciences would undoubtedly lose their femininity as their 'clothing will be neglected', and their 'hair will be done in antiquarian fashion'. Samuel Pepys, an English diarist once attended a meeting of the Royal Society of Scientists, and commented that the Duchess of Newcastle, who had been invited to the Society, had been "a good, comely woman", but that her dress had been "so antique and her deportment so ordinary, that I do not like her at all." She had been invited as a scientist, not as a model of current fashion, an obviously even the most educated of men could not see past her plain appearance and truly listen to what she had to say. As weak and superficial as t
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Approximate Word count = 856
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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