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From: patterso@hardees.rutgers.edu (Ross Patterson)
Newsgroups: comp.society.women
Subject: Re: Women Wizards?
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Date: 12 Jul 88 03:50:07 GMT
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Strangely, in the IBM side of the business (where I hail from), women
figure quite prominently. The Vice President of SHARE (the largest IBM
user group) is Cecilia Cowles, of Cornell. The SHARE VM Group has long
been led on a number of issues by Sandra Hassenplugh (Tower, Perrins,
Forster and Crosby) and Melinda Varian (Princeton). All three have
titles in a whimsical group known as the "Knights of VM" (nomination
and designation by public acclaim), have international reputations,
and are at the center of what would otherwise be called an Old Boy
network. 

While I can't say for certain, I expect that their recognition
influence stem to soem degree from their constant participation in a
computer conference known as VMSHARE, run by and for the members of
the SHARE VM Group. VMSRE has been in existence for over 15 years,
and women have always played an equal-or-better role in its
discussions. I and many other Systems Programmers of both sexes are
indebted to them, and VM would be a much worse off place without their
efforts, knowledge, and willingness to help others.

Ross Patton
Rutgers University
Center for Computer and Information Services