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University relationships and gender relationsIn general, women-dominated fields, such as home economics, have a low level of prestige within the university. Home economics benefited women because it gave them a sphere in which they could assert their influence and conduct scientific research, but it also limited them because of the field's lack of prestige. To counteract the possibility of isolation, Parsons developed numerous connections beyond the home economics department. Through her co-advising, she worked with many people outside her department and consequently developed working relationships with some other faculty in the College of Agriculture, especially with members of the biochemistry department. Parsons interacted most of all with Conrad A. Elvehjem, E.B. Fred, and E.B. Hart. Elvehjem ardently supported women in science. He and Parsons not only shared many students, but also had a close friendship with each other. Parsons liked and respected him, and it is clear from their interactions that Elvehjem also held Parsons in high regard. Fred and Parsons conducted research together, and she learned much from him about the rigors of laboratory science. However, Fred viewed the women in his lab as decorations, not as equal contributors. Hart was not as accommodating of women in the lab as Fred, but he was extremely helpful to them outside the boundaries of the lab. Hart assisted Parsons and other members of the home economics department with their research, but he refused to hire women. Other male colleagues were even less considerate of home economists. |
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