I will spare the reader the gory details of a lengthy IT career, since 1971, that was painfully and unethically derailed, on occasion, by the "boys club". At this point, I am a happy college instructor, with no intention of retiring, doing what I can to prepare others by teaching cutting edge content and methodologies in basic required coursework to an extremely diverse body of students. I was verbally assaulted twice by my division chair when I tried to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion, particularly as regards our CISCO program, one of my favorites. He regrets his behavior and he still just does not get that my nurturing and mentoring skills are often the glue that gets and keeps students involved, working together, and moving toward completion. Women often bring critical skills to the table and the profession and community suffer when we are excluded. How many of y'all know who Admiral Grace Hopper was?

South Mountain Community College in Phoenix will be announcing an opening for a CISCO instructor in the next couple weeks and I encourage qualified women to apply.