Singapore's Straits Times Quotes Prof. Meryl Altman

January 9, 2007

January 9, 2007, Greencastle, Ind. - "It's important for little girls to grow into emotionally, academically and economically self-reliant women," says Meryl Altman, professor of English and faculty development coordinator at DePauw University. Dr. Altman is quoted in a story in Singapore's Straits Times on the "princess complex," which the newspaper's Suzanne Sng writes, "afflicts women who are waiting to be swept off their feet by a gallant, well-born and handsome man, not unlike Cinderella in the fairy tale."

Professor Altman's quote, first reported by the Arizona Republic in 2003, continues, "Sometimes, young women undervalue their own abilities... It's harmful to believe you can only lean when, in fact, you can stand."

The article, which also quotes feminist Peggy Orenstein, can be accessed at the newspaper's Web site (a paid subscription is required).

Meryl Altman contributed an essay to the November/December issue of Women's Review of Books, entitled "Sappho's Lost Session."  Read more in this previous story.

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