“Male colleagues were only interested in me for how I looked. I wanted them to recognize my achievements and my professionalism, but all they saw was my face and body.
They [other women] assumed because I was pretty, I was stupid, so [they] didn’t take me seriously at first and, because of their own insecurities, were jealous of my looks. Then, when they realized I was very good at my job, possibly better than them, they hated me even more.
Problem is, when you get yourself into such a state [of anxiety], when so many negative things have happened, and there were quite a few experiences that I went through, you are unable to think clearly. You are unable to see the [negative] reality and you feel so traumatized that, actually, when you wake up [hopeful] in the morning you think ‘Brilliant, I love my work, but oh I'm far too scared’.
I’m not lazy and I’m no bimbo. The truth is my good looks have caused massive problems for me when it comes to employment, so I’ve made the decision that employment just isn’t for me at the moment.
It suited me to take that break [from work] because I had been so traumatized by certain events, the accumulation of certain events, at work [by] male and female attention. I was able to take the time off and use that wisely.”
-Laura Fernee, This Morning UK, 2013
Before the wave of #metoo went from a movement to a Hollywood trend, Laura Fernee, a scientist in the UK, spoke out about sexism and inter-female rivalry in the workplace. Not surprisingly, her experiences and perspective were vilified in the media and on social platforms. This is because dehumanizing beautiful women is far too commonplace in the media and within the general public. The amount of danger and punishment a beautiful girl or woman will face in the world is frightening, but nobody seems to care. Jealousy and assumptions overrule a beautiful woman’s actual hardships until bullying itself becomes one of those obstacles. Laura’s story is a reminder that feminism exists for all women. Pretty privilege is a one-sided myth that flattens and stereotypes a singular kind of beauty in order to confirm our bias that we are all ‘victims’ of the beautiful. In reality, the pretty experience is varied and individualized, including unique disappointments and dangers.
Laura’s feelings are valid, I believe her story, and respect her for taking action in real time. I applaud that she had the courage to speak out, then walk away from toxic people and environments. Unfortunately, that meant walking away from a career in science where women are already undervalued and underrepresented. I learned more about women in science at L’Oreal USA For Women in Science Fellowship!
Have a Pleasant Day
-Rae Pleasant
