While editing this issue of the Journal, I realised that I could see myself or my career reflected in many of the topics raised in this and other issues. I kept thinking I should write a letter or an article about my experiences, but I never seem to find time. I suspect most other readers have this same problem. Here are some random reactions.
The Internet - how did I ever get along without e-mail? I don't
have time for or need the news-groups and so don't personally
notice any male domination or sexism, though I know it's there;
I just use what is of value to me. Yes, I can afford the equipment
(it's a necessary part of my office, not an optional extra), which
I realise many women cannot. But there are ways around this; we
should explore them.
Politics to advance one's career (Elsa Garmire, p. 16 of this issue) - once I learned that self-promotion is the way to go, my career benefited immensely. There are ethical and unethical ways to do this; a topic for another article one day.
Changing careers and using one's scientific and analytical skills in other fields (like Mandy Rashleigh, p. 26 of this issue) - that's me. Master of Science in botany, ended up in scientific and technical editing. I made more money and was treated with more respect than if I'd stayed in laboratory researchprobably because I became an expert in a field that wasn't a threat to the careers of male researchers. I did develop a reputation for being 'difficult' (men are strong-willed, women are difficult), but it was part of the politics of establishing myself as a peer, not a subordinate. If I don't think I'm one of the best in my field, why should anyone else think so?
Science boring? No way. As a young teen, I thought everything else was boring (especially the boys at that age). My interest at university focussed on applied science (which automatically made me a second-class citizen in the department, where real researchers - real men? - did 'pure' or 'basic' research). A shift into technology, and a focus on explaining technology to a non-technical audience, was a logical move. Then there's the whole issue of appropriate technology.
Combining career and family is something I didn't even attempt to do, so I admire and respect those women who have managed this. I was never interested in raising children, so the decision not to have them wasn't difficult; but enforcing that decision against the views of society and my (ex-) husband was very difficult.
The book reviewed in this issue, Double Bind, hit home. I was addicted to valium for some years, when male doctors tended to prescribe drugs to help women cope with adjusting to roles we didn't wantin my case, being a wife and mother. Fortunately, second-wave feminism came along in time to save me from drug-induced 'adjustment'.
I could go on, but I'm out of space. I'm impressed with the quantity and quality of material submitted to this Journal. Please keep sending in articles, photos, cartoons, anything of interest, or just a short letter. We want to hear from you!
Jean Hollis Weber