Leah Murray, a Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor of Political Science and director of the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service at Weber State University, shares a perspective on the critical lessons women pass down for protection. Murray argues that women in institutions of higher education are often not taken seriously when they seek help for harassment or abuse, leading to a “moral obligation” to share practical advice. Her insights, drawn from decades of personal experience and observations, highlight a need for women to take precautionary measures due to perceived systemic dismissals of their concerns.
During her first semester teaching statistics to political science students at Weber State University, Murray encountered an unexpected comment in her course evaluations. While acknowledging the class itself was unpopular, she noted one student's feedback remarking on her “cute ankles” and expressing gladness that she wore skirts. This specific comment prompted Murray to immediately change her professional attire, adopting pants as her uniform, and ceasing to wear skirts. This incident at Weber State illustrates a continuing theme in her professional life where personal appearance became an unexpected focus.
Before her tenure at Weber State, Murray pursued her Ph.D. at the University at Albany. During her orientation there, she was forewarned about a particular professor known for “liking to grab women,” and was advised to avoid a specific hallway within the building. Her first year brought further challenges when a male peer in the program left nasty notes in her mailbox. When Murray sought intervention from the department chair, she was advised to ask a male friend to physically confront the individual. Later, during her third year, another teaching assistant announced to a group of students that the only reason others worked with Murray was for sexual interest. Again, she approached the department chair, who this time insisted she accept the teaching assistant’s apology. A different individual further advised Murray that she should “just go along to get along” to avoid being “that woman” and potentially damaging her career. Murray chose to follow this advice, avoiding the specified hallway and accepting the apologies from the two men.
Murray's awareness of these dynamics began earlier in her academic career. While attending Syracuse University, a peer mentor in her first-year experience cohort shared a cautionary tale. The mentor explained she had decided against joining a sorority she had pledged because she was told she would be expected to engage in sexual acts with fraternity brothers whenever they wished. Hearing this in 1992, Murray made personal decisions: she never rushed a social sorority, never attended a fraternity party at Syracuse University, and ensured she only drank alcohol when trusted friends committed to getting her home safely.
Her understanding of these power dynamics dates back even further to high school. After breaking up with a long-term boyfriend, he falsely told others they had had sex. A mutual friend informed Murray, who denied the claim. She distinctly remembers her friend's face in 1989 when told, “Well, he said it happened,” realizing then that such situations are rarely a balanced “He said, she said,” but rather “He said, end of story.” This early experience solidified her understanding of the challenges women face when seeking to be heard.
Murray asserts a full understanding, since age 14, that precautionary measures are necessary because authorities often fail to listen when incidents occur. She cites an example from her last weekend at Syracuse University, where despite drinking more than she intended at her own party, she woke up with an unknown male in her bed. Although she later heard he claimed they hadn't “hooked up” because she threw up, she reflected that had they engaged sexually while she was “blackout intoxicated” and unable to consent, it would have been deemed “her fault” even in her own home. She points out that efforts like Cornell University banning fraternity parties may not fully address the issue, as women are fundamentally “not taken seriously.” Murray believes the crucial action is for women to share direct, honest truths with each other. From her perspective as a woman, she feels a moral obligation to advise others to “Don’t go to those parties, don’t get drunk, don’t wear skirts.” While acknowledging that these measures shouldn't be necessary in an ideal world, she emphasizes that this ideal has not been realized in her lifetime. Therefore, she concludes it is her duty to share the truth she has learned, which is that “It will always be, ‘He said, end of story.’ Act accordingly.”
