Archival geekery
One of the lovely things about being an archivist is that you come across all sorts of cool and unexpected stuff, and I had a really ‘Awwww’ moment today.
I’m currently sorting and cataloguing the extremely copious papers of a distinguished woman scientist, who not only went on being research-active into her ninth and tenth decades, but was also involved in activism around radiation risks through giving evidence in law-cases, speaking to campaigning groups, participating in radio and tv programmes, etc.
I suppose I might have guessed, given her interests and track record, that there’d have been some involvement with the Greenham Peace Women. I discovered today that she provided scientific evidence for the defence in one of the legal cases.
But what I found particularly charming and endearing was that she, at that time a woman in her 80s with a still very hectic career as a scientist and international activist, was also on the organising group for a Women’s Rock Concert in support of the Greenham Camp. Bless her.
o0splitpaw0o:
October 15th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Would you be up for a podcast spot to discuss some of the problems at recent Linux conferences? I posted back something to a few women out there to jump in a previous podcast on the subject matter, but I didn’t get any word back. posting a video early 2 weeks ago, but planning another get together with people on this here shortly. Can’y have a topic without the actual input from the opposite side on the subject. thanks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CauuPMSW7zg
Bene:
October 16th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Thanks so much for sharing that–I’d actually never heard of the Greenham Camp! Knowledge is power, and that’s truly amazing.
As is the scientist you worked on. Brill.
Dorothea Salo:
October 16th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Erm… “the opposite side”? There’s an awful lot of unhappy assumptions tied up in that one phrase. I, for one, would be hard-pressed to agree to appear on a podcast where I was “the opposition.”
Liz Henry:
October 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am
No… I would not… since you are clueless enough to leave this comment on a post by our Intrepid Archivist who as far as I know, has nothing to do with Linux!
Liz Henry:
October 16th, 2009 at 10:02 am
That’s a great story! So who was the scientist? Can you tell us about her?
Lesley:
October 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I’m a little hesitant to mention her name because the archive is so huge that it will be ages before the papers will be available for research!
MissPrism:
October 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I want to hear more about the scientist too! The description made me think of Charlotte Auerbach, who’s one of my heroes – was it her?
Lesley:
October 17th, 2009 at 7:15 am
No: but I’ve located a good obituary of the scientist in question.
MissPrism:
October 18th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Thank you! Fascinating stuff.