marriage, for the antinepotism rules were reinstated on most campuses after World War II (Rossiter xv). However, even single women were excluded or overlooked during hiring for fear that they might later get married (Rossiter xv). For many years, men and women had little consciousness that these attitudes and practices might constitute discrimination (Rossiter xvi). Generally, everyone assumed that, although women were "present in science, they were at best invisible and at worst an embarrassment" (Rossiter xvi). They were in no way regarded as a significant and influential segment of the field.
Two landmark events occurred in early 1970 that would effect change in the general perception about women's role in science. The first was the "Ph.D glut," where, as a result of reduced funding of science budgets, major pre- and post-doctoral programs were dismantled (Rossiter 373). Hiring went down, and, of course, women were the first to be affected because no legislation prohibited sex discrimination at the nation's academic institutions (Rossiter 374). Congress had exempted colleges and universities from all legislation on civil and women's rights, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Rossiter 374).
The second event occurred in January 1970 when the "Ph.D glut" was making news. Bernice Sandler filed a lawsuit against the University of Maryland charging sexual discrimination in its hiring practices (Rossiter 374). Eventually, her lawsuit included 250 colleges and universities (Rossiter 375). The most immediate result of the lawsuit was that the universities did create affirmative-action plans to fend off the action. Their implementation, however, left much to be desired. Finally, in March 1972, as a result of women's agitation, Congress passed the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (Rossiter 376). The Act dropped the portion of Title VII which had formerly exempted all educational institutions from equal employme...