Feminist physician dead at 89

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- An endocrinologist who publicly refuted charges that hormonal differences made women less fit for critical jobs than men has died in Maryland at the age of 89.

Dr. Estelle Ramey of Georgetown University entered the national spotlight in 1970 when she contradicted the assertion of a confidant of U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey that women weren't cut out for high office because of monthly hormonal changes, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Since hormonal imbalances were Ramey's specialty, she sent letters to The Washington Post and Washington Evening Star disputing the comments made by Dr. Edgar Berman at a meeting of a Democratic Party committee.

A short time later the two physicians debated the issue before the National Women's Press Club in Washington. Reporting on the debate, the Post said Ramey "mopped up the floor" with Berman, earning her the moniker of "George Burns with an X chromosome."

When he opened with the remark that he loved women, she countered with "So did Henry VIII."

Ramey's daughter told the Times the cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her husband, a son and five grandchildren.