Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Saturday, March 15th, 2025 5:56 PM

No Status

1

Suggestion: Men's Names — But Women's Work (complete)

List: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls527078843/ Poll: TBD History, both ancient and recent, is littered with women who have seen their accomplishments either claimed by or attributed to the men around them. The occurrence has been so common in the world of science, for example, that the term “Matilda effect” was coined to describe it, named after suffragist and abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage, who first described the phenomenon in her 1870 essay “Woman as Inventor”. Below are films that tell the stories of some of these women. Which one do you think best depicts this injustice? Much thanks to Dan Dassow, Pencho, Peter/pbn, and NYVKE for all their help.

787 Messages

 • 

8.8K Points

19 days ago

I can't think of any films, but two names to research: 1. Mileva Maric - Einstein's first wife, a mathematician who *may* have made significant contributions to his early work. PS. some "research" goes too far in the opposite direction, citing her as the primary force behind much of his early work, which is also not likely true. 2. Rosalind Franklin - Largely uncredited collaborator of Watson and Crick.

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

I had heard of Franklin, and that she was a relatively unknown collaborator, although I don't know much about her so I will certainly read up. I knew of Maric as Einstein's first wife but did not know that she may have contributed to some of his early work. That's interesting (as is the overreaching that can happen in situations like that: the pendulum can sometimes swing too far) and definitely something I'll look up. Thanks for posting both!

3.8K Messages

 • 

58.1K Points

19 days ago

fun stuff: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3513498/trivia/?item=tr4388503&ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

I haven't seen either Lego Movie but that is quite interesting. I'm curious to see both movies, especially because I think it's a rather rare, but wonderful, quality to be able to admit one's mistakes or address something that others find problematic. I'm interested to see how the filmmakers dealt with the criticism. I'm also interested to see if I agree with the criticism and to what extent. Thanks for sharing this. : )

4.2K Messages

 • 

88.3K Points

18 days ago

Eegads, I wish this wasn't so damn timely giving our current (nasty) political circumstances: Hidden Figures

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Indeed.

Champion

 • 

19.8K Messages

 • 

480.6K Points

17 days ago

rubyfruit76, Thank you for this timely and great poll suggestion. Sadly, as Tsar pointed out, this is timely given the current state of affairs. Regarding, NYVKE's great suggestions: Einstein's Wife (2003) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0791111/ This TV movie delves into the relationship between Albert Einstein and Mileva Marić, and it explores the theories surrounding her possible collaboration on his early scientific papers, particularly concerning the theory of relativity. Mileva Maric: The Other Einstein (2001) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1417088/ This is a documentary that chronicles Mileva Marić's life, from her youth in Serbia to her scientific pursuits and her relationship with Einstein. It aims to shed light on her brilliance and the discussions about her potential contributions. Frau Einstein (2011) Frau Ajnstajn (2011) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2147289/ This film is a Serbian production that tells the story of Mileva Maric. It explores her life, her relationship with Albert Einstein, and the mysteries surrounding her involvement in his scientific work. Sadly, none of these films have a lot of ratings. Also, it's crucial to understand that the extent of Mileva Marić's contributions is a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. While these films present various perspectives, it's essential to approach them with a critical eye and consider the complexities of the historical record. I would tend to go with the most recent film, Frau Ajnstajn (2011). = = = Rosalind Franklin's crucial role in the discovery of DNA's structure has been depicted in several films and documentaries. Here are a couple of notable examples: The Race for the Double Helix (1987) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093815/ This is an episode in the BBC Horizon series. This television film dramatizes the race to discover the structure of DNA. It portrays the contributions of Rosalind Franklin, along with those of James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins. Rosalind Franklin: DNA's Dark Lady (2003) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409234/ This is a documentary that specifically focuses on Rosalind Franklin's life and work. It aims to bring her contributions to light and address the controversy surrounding the use of her data. It is important to remember that Rosalind Franklin's work was essential to the discovery of the structure of DNA, and that these films help to bring her contributions to a wider audience. I would tend to go with The Race for the Double Helix (1987) since it is more widely known.

(edited)

787 Messages

 • 

8.8K Points

Thanks for doing the research; I am way too lazy 😂

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Hahahaha, NYVKE.

(edited)

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Dan, I emailed you back and thanked you there but in a thread about people being given credit: This poll is largely yours. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(edited)

Champion

 • 

19.8K Messages

 • 

480.6K Points

16 days ago

rubyfruit76, For your consideration: Mrs. America (2020) TV Mini Series https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9244556/ Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly leads an unexpected fight against the Equal Rights Amendment movement during the 1970s. However, this series also shows how women's political contributions were often minimized or disregarded. It shows the struggles of many women to get their voices heard in a male dominated political arena. The Imitation Game (2014) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084970/ Although the movie primarily focuses on Alan Turing, it also lightly touches on the contributions of Joan Clarke. While she is shown as a vital part of the team, historical accounts suggest that her contributions were downplayed for many years. Radioactive (2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6017756/ This film shows Marie Curie's groundbreaking work, but it also depicts the challenges she faced as a woman in science, including the initial attribution of the Nobel Prize to her husband, Pierre Curie. Agatha (1979) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078736/ While this is a fictionalized account of Agatha Christie's disappearance, it does demonstrate the feeling of being over looked, and under appreciated, that many female writers of the time felt.

(edited)

787 Messages

 • 

8.8K Points

Isn't Agatha (1979) the film that suggests she fakes fugue amnesia in order to attempt to kill her husband's mistress? Not quite appropriate for the poll

(edited)

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Dan, may I cite you as the author of the above blurbs? I don't want to plagiarize but I'd love to use them: they're very well written and in my very sleepy state, I'd never do them justice. And what do you think about 'Agatha,' if it's the same movie that NYVKE mentions?

(edited)

Champion

 • 

19.8K Messages

 • 

480.6K Points

rubyfruit, I've not seen 'Agatha'. NYVKE assessment is probably right; 'Agatha' probably shouldn't be included in the poll. I will leave it up to you whether it would be appropriate to add an attribution. The author is Google Gemini based on this prompt: History, both ancient and recent, is littered with women who have seen their accomplishments either claimed by or attributed to the men around them. The occurrence has been so common in the world of science, for example, that the term “Matilda effect” was coined to describe it, named after suffragist and abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage, who first described the phenomenon in her 1870 essay “Woman as Inventor”. Please list films or television series that demonstrate or illustrate the “Matilda effect”. This is the link to the full response from Google Gemini: https://g.co/gemini/share/d686fc57626e

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Thanks, Dan!

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Dan, I added all but 'Agatha.' However, I then deleted 'The Imitation Game,' which I've seen, because the poll poses the question, "Which [film or series] do you think best depicts this injustice?" I can't remember Clarke facing any significant snubs or difficulties and Google Gemini suggests the same.If you've seen and remember something I've forgotten, though, please just let me know. Thanks!

Champion

 • 

19.8K Messages

 • 

480.6K Points

rubyfruit76, After reflection, I agree that 'The Imitation Game' should not be included. In the film Clarke did not face any significant snubs of difficulties. However, in real life Clarke did not get the recognition that she deserved until much later. For that matter, I'm still outraged that Alan Turing was persecuted despite being a national hero. His work along with that of others is the foundation of computer science and artificial intelligence.

Champion

 • 

7.2K Messages

 • 

123K Points

16 days ago

FYC: The Beanie Bubble: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17007120/reference/ Article here: https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/how-one-man-took-credit-for-women-s-work-in-new-film-about-beanie-babies-toy-mania Also: Funny Farm: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095188/reference/ Stealing Paradise: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1815943/reference/

(edited)

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Hi Pencho, thank you, so much, for the suggestions. I added The Beanie Bubble and Stealing Paradise. I didn't see Funny Farm and couldn't find a description of it that gave me enough of a sense of it to write an accurate summary so I didn't include it. Btw, I never knew the story about Beanie Babies. Thanks again.

787 Messages

 • 

8.8K Points

@rubyfruit76 I saw The Imitation Game recently , and I agree. You should rather save that film for Gay month TBH. Turing was treated horribly towards the end of his life, leading to his suicide.

(edited)

Champion

 • 

14.8K Messages

 • 

334.4K Points

16 days ago

To some extent, Jean Purdy, development of IVF treatment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Purdy#Recognition Joy https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10243672/

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Thank you, Peter. I added it: do you think the blurb I wrote accurately depicts the story?

Champion

 • 

14.8K Messages

 • 

334.4K Points

Sure. But regarding another entry: While Horizon is generally a documentary series, the special called "Life Story" or "Race for the Double Helix" was a drama.

(edited)

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Yikes, I'll change that right away. Thank you, Peter, so much.

Champion

 • 

10.4K Messages

 • 

201.1K Points

5 days ago

Sara, there was an error when we tried to push this. It could be the ć in Marić or some of the quotation marks in the intro.

787 Messages

 • 

8.8K Points

Likely either the accented c or the length of some of the blurbs????

Champion

 • 

10.4K Messages

 • 

201.1K Points

The first three quotation marks here are different than the last one: “Matilda effect” “Woman as Inventor."

787 Messages

 • 

8.8K Points

Jess, I'm impressed. I lost that eye for detail a long time ago 😂

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Thank you, so much, Jess: what a great catch -- possibly your best ever, wow. I changed the quotation marks. Should I also change the "Marić" to "Maric" now or should I wait if you want to be able to identify what precisely is causing the problem? If you want me to wait and know when you'll try to repush it, I can ask Dan to text me at that time so I can make the change immediately if there's still an error. Thank you, again.

Champion

 • 

7.2K Messages

 • 

123K Points

It's up to you, we can try tonight as it is, and if it fails we can publish tomorrow, just be attentive for our message in case it fails so you can update it in time. Otherwise, you can play it safe and do both changes now.

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

NYVKE, I couldn't agree more about Jess's extraordinary eye. I've told her that she's the best proofreader I've ever known and since I'm a writer, I've known many, including myself. She and I worked together as poll admins for five or six years and I continually marveled over the catches she made. She still routinely saves my polls, thank goodness.

Champion

 • 

7.7K Messages

 • 

195.3K Points

Hi Pencho and thanks for the reply. I'll make the other change now, as well. : )

Champion

 • 

10.4K Messages

 • 

201.1K Points

Sara, you are too kind. I wish there was an option to "love" a comment. And to be fair, Peter also spotted the quotation marks. :)

(edited)

Champion

 • 

14.8K Messages

 • 

334.4K Points

4 days ago

Live Poll https://www.imdb.com/poll/vZfGSkPOeO8/