Princeton has selected Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman, a molecular biologist, to be its next president, making this a landmark year for Ivy League women leaders. UPenn and Brown are also welcoming female presidents this year. Dr. Tilghman was originally on the search committee, but was asked to become a candidate, and she appears to be a fine, progressive choice. Here, from the NY Times article, are some of her opinions: “She has argued to abolish tenure, calling it ‘no friend to women’ because the trial period leading up to the tenure decision usually coincides with childbearing years, pressuring many women to choose between a family and career.”, “Dr. Tilghman has also said that the federal government should deny funding to scientific meetings that do not include women on their panels of presenters.”, “She recently argued to the Bush administration to continue funding for stem-cell research despite the protests of abortion rights opponents.” I hope she doesn’t have too many staunch opponents in the traditional old boys network, because she could spearhead much positive change, not just for women, but also for genetic research, which is facing many conservative political arguments.