A Reminiscence, a Comment and a Vision
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Letter from Kathleen Lamoureux
As one who joined WISENet in its very early days, I feel privileged to have been able to attend the 25th anniversary forum in Wollongong. As the day’s proceedings rolled on, I reflected on just what WISENet has accomplished and what it has meant to so many women (and men) over the years. I remember well the regular sessions co-ordinated by Diana Temple at Sydney Uni. A very diverse group of women met to mentor and support each other, to share what was happening in science from employment, research, and applied perspectives and to establish networks. We came from all areas of Sydney and Wollongong, worked in both the public and private sectors and, best of all, we listened with respect to struggles and successes and strongly encouraged one another to keep on keeping on. For several years, the Sydney group met and edited the WISENet Journal and many a night was spent at the Australian Museum undertaking this task and sampling the menus of various restaurants in the area. WISENet allowed people to meet without the strictures of hierarchy. There was always some wine, nibbles and good conversation. There was a consensus about using the time to talk, listen, and share. Titles were not obtrusive and positions did not dictate authority. I always felt a sense of nourishment from attending and a quiet satisfaction at the achievements of so many of the women there. The late Frances Lovejoy, a feminist academic from the UNSW, once commented to me that sometimes in the rush to understand the wrongs committed against women, we sometimes forget to celebrate rights and successes. I think that is one lesson that deserves to be repeated. It is as important to acknowledge opportunities and success as it is to understand the roadblocks. There are so many achievements by members of WISENet. One in particular that I would like to mention is the impact of WISENet member Kathy Armstrong in the early 1990s with the Science Teachers Association. Kathy got a government grant and helped drive the STA’s development of a Women and Girls Science Policy. A short time ago, I attended the Diana Temple Memorial Lecture in Sydney. I wept at the loss of such a committed scientist as Diana and today I witnessed part of her legacy. Today, as I listened to the speakers, I saw the future of WISENet. I saw women committed to science once again sharing their stories, mentoring each other, and networking. I saw opportunities and success and felt very privileged to be a member of WISENet. |