Letters, feedback, get it off your chest: 30 March 2011

One woman roars over the language of guest speaker, Stacey Currie, at this month’s Heidelberg Women In Print, while another reader congratulates the use of iPads at university.

Re: Heidelberg helps women win in print
I was one of the women at the Sydney event who complained about an excessive use of bad language and the closing comment that pushed the Women's Movement back twenty years.

As a volunteer mentor for business development in places like Redfern, Waterloo and parts of Western Sydney I can assure you I am no stranger to the odd swear word or ten.  I have no problem with inappropriate language in moderation but the Currie speech was over the top.  The closing comments including “I love working in a male-dominated industry cause I love men” and “I plan to write a shit load of books” were just cringe-worthy.

What about those of us who have slogged away in that male dominated industry for twenty years or more who have been at the pointy end of that discrimination?  Do we shut up and say nothing?  We can do at that work but in an event hosted for women surely we have the right to speak up and feel confident that our feedback will be treated with some respect.

On my table alone there were women who represented more than 75 years in the industry collectively.  We too look for mentors, women with actual runs on the board who can inspire us to continue in our efforts to do well and be successful despite the male dominated environment.

I'm fairly certain that whom ever passed on our comments to you did not provide our full feedback as it was constructive with suggestions on other speakers they might like to contact for future event.  The article was a cheap shot not worthy of your publication or Alison Stieven-Taylor, a better journalist than that.

Most disgruntled customers say nothing, do nothing and never come back.   If that's as good as it gets and equality and language no longer mean anything in an industry built on communication then women of merit need to rethink their career choices.

Very disappointing on all fronts.

Colleen Godsell

My wife was inspired by her story. The people who complained should get a life and were probably jealous.
 
Congratulations to Miss Currie.
 
Ross Campbell

Re: Science students experiment with iPad in textbook shake up
This is a fantastic initiative. I do believe this will be the beginning of something far more beneficial for students. Along with the materials, students would be able to access medical papers online as needed in class.

Thanks for posting this article.

Ibi Szentirmay