Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History, Volume XXII

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
This is Eugenie Scott. She's the Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to defending the teaching of evolution in public education.

Dr. Scott has been involved in this issue for many, many years, and in fact, her organization was instrumental in providing support for the landmark Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover District Court win in 2005.

Dr. Scott has just won the inaugural Stephen Jay Gould Prize, awarded annually by the Society for the Study of Evolution "to recognize individuals whose sustained and exemplary efforts have advanced public understanding of evolutionary science and its importance in biology, education, and everyday life in the spirit of Stephen Jay Gould."

I'm a great admirer of Dr. Scott, and find her arguments compelling. She's implacable when it comes to providing accurate, scientifically solid information, yet her personal style is such that she's not as confrontational as others with the same agenda.

Her work is controversial, and she's received death threats for her work in keeping religion our of public schools. That hasn't stopped her from plowing forward, though.

She's making history, and she's ill-behaved. Congratulations, Dr. Scott, on your award. Well-deserved.

8 comments:

vince said...

Ooo, let's show our love by threatening to kill those that don't agree with us. Epic stupidity. Epic Fail.

Janiece said...

Because they're Christian, you know.

Anonymous said...

Of course. When Christians (or "Christians") threaten to kill you, it's because they love you and are afraid for your immortal soul. So if you're killed by a "Christian," you will go to Heaven. Or at least Purgatory. Or something that isn't Hell. Which is best for your immortal soul. And isn't that what we all want?

Janiece, I would definitely say the world is a better world for having Dr. Scott in it. Keep on behaving badly.

Geek Goddess said...

I heart Dr. Scott. I watched videos of her taking on the wacko McLeroy on the Texas School Board, and she remained calm and professional. They would have been sweeping up bits of skull and brain if it had been me up there.

Janiece said...

Carol Elaine, we both know that being well in this world is much less important that making sure our friends and relatives are squared away in the next.And Geek Goddess, you've hit on why I also heart Dr. Scott. I tend to get all foamy and stabby in the face of such stupidity. Dr. Scott keeps her cool and makes her case. A better woman than I, no doubt.

Steve Buchheit said...

"Marching, marching to shibboleth, with the eagle and the sword!"

You know, that was comedy back in its day. Now it seems to be the moderate position.

I heart anybody who stands up to the peddlers of ignorance. Especially standing up to the anti-evolutionist crowd, which I sometimes find myself dumbfounded into speechlessness by, all while my little brain keeps repeating, "Can't fix stupid."

Knut said...

You know, this evolution thing is just a farce, right? Darwin and Dr. Scott and all their ilk are going to hell for such blasphemy.

Oh wait, I've come to my senses now. Real science for the win!

If you have not seen it, check out

Flock of Dodos

Janiece said...

Knut, if I thought you were serious, I would totally be paying you a visit with my Shovel of Doom™ in hand.

Either that or calling out the troops to battle the Pod-People...