First day on campus
She's a sight to behold
A brilliant new professor
Ambitions untold
In corridors searching
Her office unfound
She spots a veteran
Wisdom profound
Yet his query arises
With a patronizing hiss
"Excuse me
But are you a student, dear miss?"

Constantly doubted
Pushed to the side
Her worth and work
She wears with pride
With a glance that signifies
Truly and gracefully
Gently she rectifies
"It's Doctor, actually!"

A rising star
In her scientific spheres
She returns to her hometown
For holiday cheers
Kin and neighbors
With inquisitive stares
Cloak their unsought counsel
In old-fashioned airs
Their prying feels trivial
But hard to dismiss
"Why don't you start a family
Dear miss?"

Constantly doubted
Pushed to the side
Her worth and work
She wears with pride
With a glance that signifies
Truly and gracefully
Gently she rectifies
"It's Doctor, actually!"

On a plane, she revises
Her latest paper
The man beside
Assumes he's more than able
Diving into topics
Where her expertise is plain
With unsought advice
He starts to mansplain
He mistakes her boredom
For a lack of grasp
"Too complex for you?"
He condescendingly gasps

Constantly doubted
Pushed to the side
Her worth and work
She wears with pride
With a glance that s
Ignifies, truly and gracefully
Gently she rectifies
"It's Doctor, actually!"

Years down the road
Her career soaring high
She joins esteemed colleagues
Seasoned and wise
A renowned academic
She takes her rightful place
Respected and equal
With poise and grace
Yet one elder remarks
With a dismissive sigh
"Be a dear, fetch us coffee
Doctor, if you'd try"

Constantly doubted
Pushed to the side
Her worth and work
She wears with pride
Eye to eye
She refuses with dignity
Her assistant notes:
"It's Professor, actually!"