This climate of opinion meant that women determined to have serious research careers often did not marry. In the words of one biologist now in her seventies, "marrying was not considered the thing to do [for women scientists]. In science, you're dedicated. You go into a shroud, you don't wear normal clothes. . . you shouldn't get married; you shouldn't have children."
Mr. Bloch's critics were outraged. In fact, such a letter may have violated a Federal law that restricts Federal officials from spending Government money in lobbying Congress. And it did violate an unwritten law that prohibits agency officials from encouraging voters to pressure Congressmen to act favorably toward their agency.
But Mr. Bloch is unrepentant. "We probably overstepped our bounds, but I have been told that most people are doing just the same in other agencies, just hiding it better," he said. "We won't do it again, but ...
