PITTSBURGH - Amber Grey, 22, first year student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, returned to her alma mater high school yesterday, St. Elizabeth's in Pleasant Hills, to address the senior girls on career day. Although women comprise 70% of Amber's law school class, Amber insisted that the high school girls refer to her as a "pioneer" for all women in the legal profession.
"Every day in the legal profession is a struggle for women," Amber tearfully told the girls. "Surrounded by men, the odds are heavily stacked against us. I push ahead not for me alone, but as a pioneer for you, the next generation. You will have it much easier because of the path I've cleared for you."
The girls exchanged empty stares until one student asked Amber how she could call herself a "pioneer" when most law students are women, and women now achieve greater success in law school than men and generally are paid better upon graduation.
Amber responded to a different question. "Do you know how it feels to walk into a class of 50 students knowing there will be 15 males in there just waiting for an opportunity to subjugate and oppress you? That's fifteen penises waiting for an opportunity to rape you. You're damn right I'm a pioneer, and you all should be thankful to me."
At that, Mrs. Saltzman, the school's guidance counselor, thanked Amber for attending and told the class "we've run out of time." As Amber departed the classroom, one young woman called after her, "Amber, I appreciate what you're doing for us. I mean, how difficut must it be to get a date with so few men in the class!"
