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Editorial 73
As a new member of the National Executive Committee of WISENet I was deeply
saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Diana Temple and Dr Jill Bowling, two of
the founding members of the Network. Having not known these women personally, I
must admit I was also daunted by the prospect of editing the WISENet journal at
this difficult time for those close to Diana and Jill.
However, as I read the emails that flooded my inbox, containing recollections,
biographies and tributes, I found myself in awe of these dedicated and talented
scientists. I am very pleased to share these moving testimonials with you in
this issue.
Heather Rossiter’s beautiful tribute to Diana Temple, inspired me in two ways.
Firstly in her description of Mary O’Kane’s metaphor, ‘life is like a game of
snakes and ladders....’ and how Diana encouraged professional women to ‘put
their foot on that ladder’ and supported them ‘when they slipped on the snakes’.
Therein lies the sentiment of this issue of WISENet Journal, in which many women
have contributed stories of the snakes and ladders they have faced in their
careers.
The second inspirational message I refer to, (and this is an appropriate note to
finish on and let you start exploring the pages), was Heather’s statement,
‘WISENet and the WISENet Journal are in a way Diana’s monument, so it is
important that they continue their role in forwarding women’s participation in
science.’
Olivia Broadley