From where I sit

Abstract

I n 1923 a young woman named Susan Gill left her home in Ire-land for New York City. Like many of the " greenhorn " girls making a similar transition to the new country from the old, she first found work as a housekeeper, and eventually transitioned to a position working the night shift at the Tetley tea bag factory. Her husband worked the day shift for Borden's milk. Together they lived a full life, actively engaged with family, friends, and community and raised three children who became happy, successful adults with families of their own. In 1984 another young women also named Susan stood on stage at New York's Carnegie Hall and received a diploma granting her the title of Doctor of Philosophy from the President of Cornell University. As you have probably guessed, I am this Su-san. Susan Gill was my grandmother and my eyes still well with tears when I remember how proud she was that day. What I was able to accomplish educationally was almost inconceivable to her, yet she was one of my biggest boosters and a constant source of strength. Susan Gill was smart, courageous, resilient, and optimistic. She was always more likely to look forward rather than back. She would have made an excellent scientist and been a terrific colleague. She passed away in December of 1985. I still miss her. Although I am hoping this Presidential column will touch all AWIS members, I am aiming it at the women who have reached senior, influential positions because along with our success comes responsibility. (Note: younger readers pass this issue on to a senior colleague, mentor, or friend who is not an AWIS member .) Many of us of " a certain age, " have a remembrance of someone encouraging us to pursue our dreams of advanced education in science. Those of you in your early career may be lucky enough to have these all-important individuals still active in your lives. If so, and you have not ever expressed your gratitude I encourage you to do it before the opportunity is lost. I reflect often on my story because it serves as a tangible marker of the social progress we have seen over the past century. Very few women born in 1907, especially women without family wealth, considered attending university, never mind pursuing a career in science, or engineering, or math. And those few …