Chris & All,

The future isn't always so set in stone as some believe. There is interaction amongst individuals who turn the tide as it were and what one thinks is impossible today, may be totally possible 30 years from now.

Here's a fast track look at where women have gone in the past 30 years:
1. it was rare for a woman to own her own home, unless she inherited it. Today she brings home the bacon and fries it on her stove, bought and paid for by her.
2. There were maybe two women in the legislature in Washington, D.C. Today there are maybe 6, so this really needs some work. But they are recognized and they are moving along.
3. 30 years ago men would have laughed at any woman who wanted to work in construction; today there are some, though not in great numbers.
4. 30 years ago women like Susan Hough, Lucy Jones and Kate Hutton were totally unknown, but today they are the three muskateers of geophysics and no one is looking down their noses at them. They can hold their own. But 3 isn't enough. There are some up and comers, but few are really dedicated to science in the way men are.
5. 30 years from now, there will be more women in the legislatures. There will be more prominent women in geosciences and more women will hold CEO positions. When these events unfold there will be a tempering in this last bastions of male dominance. It may sound sexist to some; but everything needs to be equal to achieve balance, because balance equals harmony. Today it doesn't exist.
6. This week a fellow colleague of mine was offered a six figure job. She's thinking about it. I would have never imagined that 30 years ago; a. the offer and b. anyone who would pause to think about it.
7. And I too revel in amazement that I can pick up the phone or send e-mail and all the help I've needed was at my fingertips. No one rolled thier eyes or asked me where I got my degree, they just said, we'll help. Things are changing.

And last but not least, working for someone else definitely has it's high points. When you go home, your time is your own. You get paid vacations, plenty of benefits and at the end of the month, there is something left over. Mostly, your sanity. You still have time to do other things.

Petra