As an African American woman, Miriam would have faced systemic racism and discrimination throughout her life, impacting her access to education, employment, and other opportunities. This would include everyday racism as well.

Beyond racial discrimination, Miriam would have also faced gender inequality, limiting her opportunities in education, professional advancement, and social mobility. Women were generally excluded from many professions and decision-making roles.

The patent application process itself was likely challenging, particularly for a woman of color at the time. She would have needed to navigate the legal and bureaucratic complexities of the patent office, potentially facing skepticism or prejudice.

Even with a patent, commercializing the Gong and Signal Chair would have been difficult due to limited access to capital, business networks, and marketing resources. Overcoming these barriers required immense determination and resilience.