Gender.

We were frankly taken aback to read an August 1 letter by Richard N. Friedman that suggested that some female attorneys "cannot handle the rigors and injustices that are inherent in any profession and, specifically, the legal profession." He opined that "[i]f the female wants a husband and children and [to] also be a lawyer, there are extra sacrifices." He then concluded that the current gender inequalities in the legal profession "may be a thing called competition that some female attorneys cannot handle."

As two married female attorneys, one with a young son at home, let us tell you what we "cannot handle." We cannot handle the fact that female attorneys are still asked during job interviews how soon they plan to have children. We cannot handle the fact that female attorneys who get pregnant are sometimes asked not to return after their maternity leave, or after they return, are not treated as equals --in workload or pay--in the workplace. We cannot handle the fact that female attorneys endure countless inappropriate comments about their competency and dedication to the legal profession, including suggestions that women don't generally make good lawyers because they are always running home to wipe runny noses, or in the words of the August 1 letter writer, that women "cannot handle the rigors and injustices" inherent in the legal profession. And we cannot handle being told that we should simply accept the above injustices just because 50 years ago, the legal profession treated female attorneys far worse.

When women succeed, families succeed; when families succeed, we all succeed. Numerous law firms and other professions have figured this out and are making great strides in removing inequalities in the workplace. There's no badge of honor for tolerating injustice in any profession--let alone the legal profession, which exists to promote truth, fairness, and the rule of law.

Instead of degrading women who "cannot handle" injustices, let us work together to remove injustices from the legal profession entirely. Fifty years from now, our children will thank us for it.

Tiffany A. Roddenberry

Tara R. Price

Tallahassee

I ask most of the letter writers published on August 15 to consider a few points: If you think through the implications of the...