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Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 7:15 pm
by tinafeyclone
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Re: Can I write a diversity statement about experiencing sexism?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 7:29 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
No, I wouldn't do this. Like you said, all women experience sexism (or at least, the vast majority will have some example to offer). If you wanted to make this a personal statement, that would be one thing, but it's not a diversity statement. Also, if you do decide to write this for a personal statement, I'd be very careful in how you handle "you're too beautiful to be taken seriously!" - it's obviously a sexist comment but it can read as though you wanted to work in a compliment on your looks.

Re: Can I write a diversity statement about experiencing sexism?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 7:43 pm
by fra
I wrote a diversity statement about sexism as a woman in engineering. It's hard to tell how any part of your app hurts or helps, but I got into every school I applied to except Stanford, so it can't have hurt too much.
As long as your diversity statement is well written I don't think it will hurt.

Re: Can I write a diversity statement about experiencing sexism?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 8:29 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
If you're writing about a specific context where women are demonstrably underrepresented, that's one thing. I didn't get that impression from the OP, but I could be wrong of course.

Re: Can I write a diversity statement about experiencing sexism?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 4:00 am
by JazzyMac
tinafeyclone wrote:My issue with writing a diversity statement about sexism is that every woman experiences it, so I'm not sure that it would paint a picture of me being a very unique or diverse candidate. I would frame my statement about more specific experiences I've had as a result of being a woman in leadership (i.e. hearing "You're too beautiful to be taken seriously!") and how this has motivated me to become more involved in empowering other women.

Thanks for your input!
One could argue that "most all" of any under represented group experiences a type of -ism. It's your story and how it made you the person you are today.