A 2-PAGE TYPED LETTER SIGNED by MILICENT TRYON, who was secretary to RUTH BADER GINSBURG, and who was responsible for introducing the word "gender" into the legal language. Addressed to Freudian psychiatrist and criminologist Dr. Arthur Foxe on the subject of sexually motivated murder. by (Foxe, Dr. Arthur N.). Tryon, Milicent. Feminist, arts critic, and secretary to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Columbia. She was responsible for the word "gender" replacing "sex" in legal language - 1972.

December 30, 1972., 1972.. Good. MILICENT TRYON WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INTRODUCING THE WORD "GENDER" INTO THE LEGAL LANGUAGE - Over 350 words typed on two sheets of 11 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide paper. Thanking the psychiatrist and criminologist Dr. Arthur N. Foxe for granting her an interview, Milicent Tryon introduces herself in a way that suggests they have met before: "Applause Magazine folded, my husband and I separated, and Minou had kittens. I now work as a $145 a week secretary, but things could be worse. I get to walk to work (at Columbia)...." Milicent Tryon was Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's secretary at Columbia University. She quickly dives into her subject: "Now, about murder. (Just so your unconscious can be thinking about my questions during the day, I thought I'd send a few.) I want a profile of a typical character who commits sexually-motivated murders...." She follows up with some perceptive observations, paraphrasing the German psychologist Erich Fromm's observations about sadism and provides context from her own life while seeking answers: "(My little summaries seem so pat, so simple, so trite. Yet, I've been around such growth patterns myself, and I have a feeling for this thing that goes beyond understanding. My own mother was created in a laboratory by Tennessee Williams and Vincent Price. Two of her brothers molested me, as fine southern gentlemen do on occasion. And one of my brothers who has been under her influence excessively is on his way to becoming like Uncle. He's also sadistic, unlike Uncle)." Elaborating, she offers subjects for discussion: "A big feminist issue is this women-as-objects thing. Its relation to murder is something I hope you will comment on.... Once a boy has such a crippled childhood, how much of what happens afterwards, when he's in his teens and beyond, makes him into a killer?" Concerned that Dr. Foxe may worry about being misquoted, she asks: "Are you still with me? I definitely want you to look over my version of you comments. I'd hate to make a fool of myself in print.... Enclosed are some of my reviews, just to prove that there are fools who will publish my stuff...." Signed "Milicent".<p>The original mailing envelope is stapled to the letter together with an 11-1/2 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide sheet of paper upon which are photocopied three of her film, music and literary reviews.<p>Additionally attached is a 4-page proof, on 11 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide paper, of Dr. Foxe's essay "Murder". The heavily corrected proof is preceded by a brief biography of the psychiatrist at the top of the cover page. An annotation requesting a "galley proof" is penned by Dr. Foxe on the cover page. Typed and penned strike-outs and ink corrections in DR. FOXE'S HAND abound and several paragraphs are clipped and pasted onto the pages. One such paragraph reads: "But what is the cause of murder? The cause of murder is the same as that which causes other crime--the variants being in quantity, situation and coloring. The three causes of crime are, 1-violence done to the child by those around it, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and less frequently non-members of the family. Sustained violence, less frequently, later in life, may have a similar effect, 2- Sanction given the criminal act in childhood by a major parent or equivalent figure. (The mother who sanctions thefts for the household, even if needed, is an example) 3- a general lack of leaven in the family or early childhood situation- warmth, consideration, thought." We've been unable to determine if Dr. Foxe's essay was ever published.<p>Milicent Tryon's letter is in near fine condition, folded for mailing with but minor creases to the corners. Dr. Foxe's manuscript, with its pasted paragraphs and corrections, is in used but nonetheless good condition. <p>Although little information is available about this fascinating woman, she was responsible for replacing the word "sex" with the word "gender" in legal briefs and law. At the invitation of Dean Michael Sovern, Ruth Bader Ginsburg accepted a position at Columbia University in 1972, becoming the Law School's first tenured woman professor. Having successfully argued gender discrimination cases before the Supreme Court, a cause that she continued at Columbia, she became a "Superstar". According to Professor Hans Smit, "She was the only member of the faculty who taught the law that she created." In an April 10, 2009 interview with Professor Deborah Jones Merritt & Professor Wendy Webster Williams, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recalled her time at the school: "Students went through the U.S. Code chapter-by-chapter and reported on the laws that differentiated on the basis of, we say 'gender' now, we said 'sex' then." Prompted by Professor Williams' statement: "We say 'gender' now because of your secretary." Justice Ginsburg replied: "Well, I changed because of her prompt. Other people did for different reasons. But, for me it became altogether clear when my secretary at Columbia said, 'I'm typing these briefs for you and jumping out all over the page is 'sex, sex, sex.' Don't you know that for the male audience you are addressing, the first association of the word 'sex' is not what you're talking about. So, why don't you use a grammar book term? Use 'gender.' It has a neutral sound, and it will ward off distracting associations.' Milicent Tryon was my astute secretary then, and from that day to this, I've used gender." Following that statement Professor Williams observed: "And the Court picked it up."