Your Nov. 24, 1997, issue focusing on women in science is helpful in reporting the significant barriers that still hinder the advancement of women in the sciences. My many years as a scientist administrator in the federal government have led me to believe that women must accept more responsibility for getting out of their predicament. They all too often passively put up with indignities that men would never tolerate. They must simply overcome any remaining fears about throwing stones at the glass window.
An immediate place to start would be to insist that publications arising from their own research not carry the name of a senior (male, of course!) member of the faculty, often described as a supervisor or mentor when challenged. One of the major "secrets" to writing a successful grant application is to demonstrate independence, and the classic way to do that is to be able to show...