Being shunned does that to someone.
It's patently clear she wanted to speak, but when someone is treated like garbage their whole life they're under them impression that no matter what they say, they're not being believed by anyone. Even if it's the truth.
Being an OL was considered an in-between phase for women not that long ago. They got that job with the expectation that they'd meet someone down the line, marry, quit working and become stay-at-home housewives (and mothers).
Appearance can make the same person feel very different, especially if you're only familiar with them in passing.
Had a professor at uni almost not recognize me once because I was wearing a hat when talking to him and we'd only seen each other in class.