This story has been very interesting to follow. I would agree with the author that any sympathy I had towards the breast-feeding student quickly disappeared when I read that she had already received many accomodations including an EXTRA DAY to take the exam. I dont know about you, but I really do not want to ever be seen by a doctor, regardless of what medical school she graduated from, who needs an extra day to pass her medical exams.

This woman appears to be someone who will go to all lengths to get one up on her peers. I have seen plenty of woman attorneys pump breast milk while writing motions, negotiating cases on the phone and in general conducting legal work. I think it will be interesting to see whether she passes this time with her additional breaks. I consider myself a feminist, but this smells of someone who will go to all lengths to get ahead of the rest.

This is not about "getting ahead of the rest." It is about getting a fair shake. Ms. Currier applied for (and won in the 2nd ruling) more BREAKtime, not more test time, for pumping. When she goes out for a break, she can't come back and change her answers. And she doesn't get more time to take the test (just the ability to stop the clock while she pumps). Pumping isn't going to make her any smarter, just more comfortable, and as the judge ruled, put her on an even playing surface with the men and non-lactating women taking the exam.

In respnse to your comment re: "...go to all lengths to get one up on her peers:" Her peers (male and female) who have learning disabilities will be able to apply for and receive the same accomodation for double test time that Ms. Currier received.

It IS a special accommodation, though. She chose to have the child. She had to accept the consequences of that decision. This isn't hard. Yes, it will necessarily be more difficult for her to take the examinations, because she accepted that extra burden. Her classmates chose not to have children; the consequence of that decision is that they will have it a little easier on the day of the exam than she will.

This is stuff any first grader can understand.

Many medical students, male and female, have children. The difference is that men have no direct physiologic role in growing a baby or making it's milk. So they can have kids and take the exam without any physiologic consequence or impairment. Women cannot. The policy of denying lactation breaks to women discriminates against one gender.