I too was often given the same argument -- that you cannot use examples of successful women and that those who succeeded should have no voice. When I point out to many successful women who rose to the top within the current system, who benefited from mentoring and support from their male advisors, and who were not put off by the lack of role models, I am told that these success stories mean nothing because we need to hear from the losers who quit science. It is an illustration of victimhood mindset.