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Fight for Gender Equality and Inclusion - Dr. Milena Anfosso

Dr. Milena Anfosso

Fight for Gender Equality and Inclusion

Discover My Story

Dr. Milena Anfosso – Research, Translation, and Consulting in Historical Linguistics

A contemporary interpretation of the Greek poet Sappho. Eresós, Lesbos, Greece. Picture by Milena Anfosso.

Academia is still a conservative and male-dominated environment in the 21st century — we should not forget that it was originally created by elite white men and for privileged white men. Despite the progress in the last decades, there is still a long way to go for the complete acceptance of scholars who deviate from these “standards,” that is, women like myself, LGBTQIA+ scholars, older students, scholars of color, and those with disabilities, particularly mental health conditions. All of us who come from marginalized positions must work twice as hard to be taken seriously. I experienced this firsthand.

Dr. Milena Anfosso – Research, Translation, and Consulting in Historical Linguistics

A picture of me in my early twenties, during my bleach-blonde days.

Since my first exam as an undergraduate student in Classics at the University of Turin in Italy, I suffered many attacks based on my physical appearance. For example, on my first exam, the old professor got overtly aggressive as soon as I sat on the chair before him to be examined. After he had meticulously scanned me from head to toe, he contemptuously described me as “just some little blonde, to be sure, someone who would never deserve the top score of 30/30 cum laude—maybe 20/30, to be generous.” Rest assured, in all my bleach-blond-haired glory, I passed and got the top score on that exam.

Dr. Milena Anfosso – Research, Translation, and Consulting in Historical Linguistics

A picture taken during my dissertation defense at Sorbonne University, Paris, in 2019.

Men are not the only culprits of gender stereotyping, though. I got the feeling that even women have been conditioned to believe in certain standards for how a scholar should or should not appear. On many occasions, I overheard fellow ladies’ comments like, “Is it a conference or a beauty pageant?” as I was walking towards the podium at conferences. But I did not let those words intimidate me. I refused to change my way of dressing or my hair color. Appearances do not equate to substance. Should I be considered less intelligent just because I embrace my femininity? That is why I boldly defended my Ph.D. dissertation with my bleach-blond hair and in a short black backless dress, sitting cross-legged on an old Sorbonne desk. Indeed, it was perhaps the most rock 'n' roll dissertation defense in the history of the Sorbonne—and I earned my Ph.D. with the highest honors, too!

Dr. Milena Anfosso – Research, Translation, and Consulting in Historical Linguistics

A picture with the Argentine author and feminist activist Nora Strejilevich at the premiere of the documentary "Norita." Picture by Jonny Zeller.

Because of my engagement in the fight for inclusion and gender equality in Academia and the workplace, I am honored to have been written about in numerous articles in professional and major media in Europe and the United States (Cosmopolitan Italy, La Repubblica, 7TV Andalucia, and more - you can find more info here). I wish Academia were a safe space for scholars to express themselves and grow intellectually without fearing judgment or shame independently of their gender or physical appearance. As stated by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, one of the first feminist literary women in the Americas in the 17th century, “souls do not have a gender” (Romance 19, v. 111–12).

Dr. Milena Anfosso – Research, Translation, and Consulting in Historical Linguistics

Myself in Venice, Los Angeles. Picture by Jonny Zeller.

This is from my interview conducted by Noel Gazzano, a journalist and anthropologist. It appeared in the Italian newspaper La Stampa under the title “Milena Anfosso e la vita dei suoni” on April 30, 2022, and discussed women in the workplace.

“What superpower should women harness in today's workplace?
Assertiveness. While many of us feel compelled to always say 'yes' to accommodate others, it's vital to assert our desires and needs. Overcoming this mindset was pivotal for me. At the end of the day, one's professional worth transcends gender.

What widely-held belief did you have to challenge or discard to progress in your career?
I had to confront the stereotype that beauty and brains don't mix. If you don’t fit the mold of your profession, you are often dismissed. People tend to make snap judgments based on appearances, but I resisted any attempt to pigeonhole me because of mine.

What’s the paramount challenge for women today?
To realize that being a woman isn’t a disadvantage. Women must recognize that pursuing their dreams isn’t a privilege; it's a right. We shouldn't feel confined by outdated societal norms or beliefs. If we do, it’s due to antiquated mentalities we’ve yet to shed. To truly flourish, we must liberate ourselves from these shackles.”