Katie Couric recalls how Don Farmer helped her confront workplace sexism

The incident occurred in a room dominated by male executives, leaving Couric feeling stunned and uncertain about internal reporting procedures. Rather than letting the professional insult pass, Farmer insisted she address the behavior directly. Using a Smith Corona typewriter, the pair composed a memo labeling the executive’s comment as inappropriate and unacceptable, effectively setting a boundary that ensured the confrontation remained private while demanding accountability.

Couric credits this intervention as a permanent life lesson on the necessity of self-advocacy. Her experience highlights a broader pattern of navigating industry bias, a struggle echoed by figures like Jane Goodall and Scarlett Johansson, who have both described facing professional environments that prioritized their physical appearance over their research or artistic substance.