Dear Jen,

Can really relate to what you are saying as many years ago, had a friend that identified as transgendered, and had started to dress full time, have hormone treatment and electrolysis. She was making excellent progress (she was in her late 20's or early 30's), she decided to stop and become a full-time man again. She was an electrical engineer, and when she became a woman, she passed beautifully, both by looks and voice. She had perfect lady-like deportment. What changed her mind about transitioning was that she found out how poorly women engineers are treated. It was not about being transgendered but about sexism. Wish I knew back then what I know now, as I know many resources for women engineers. Also, when I met her, her mind was made up. This is why women have to support women, no matter if a woman is genetic or transgendered. Because she left due to sexism, women engineers lost an ally.

Jen, I can't help but wondered if she had the courage to try again, like you did.

Like my mother said, may God rest her soul, "it is OK to stop to rest, but not to quit."

Since then, I hope the career of electrical engineering has made progress in treating ALL women as the professionals they are.

Yours truly,

Monica