Marking International Women's Day, I attended the opening of a very special exhibition in the university's Senate Chamber today: "Room for Women!"
The photo project is the initiative of Athena’s Angels, four female Leiden professors who advocate for gender equality in academia. As the portrait gallery of famous professors, the Senate Chamber is usually adorned by the portraits of 117 men and a single woman. This month, however, visitors will only see photos of present-day female professors. A clear statement that times have changed, and a very powerful illustration of the subtle ways in which we are "reminded" that scientist = man. I was actually really touched.
For more information, see this news item
Also read this very on-point blog by my colleague Romy van der Lee
