Conceit/Grrrls

["Bayne, Sonia E." <BAYNESO -at- AMSWORLD -dot- COM>]

I've tried to resist entering this particular fray, but ...

A few years ago, my tech writing group included a young and attractive
female artist/writer. By chance, I learned that she was known to some in
the Development department as "Docubabe". As a group of feisty writers
(all women at that time, and definitely not "babes" in any sense), we
couldn't allow that to stand. Instead, we turned it around and started
calling ourselves "Docuwomen" -- making sure the developers heard about
it. This painlessly deflated the issue, and let us get back to the task
at hand. (And now we have some male writers on team, we're the
"Docufolk" if an informal collective term is needed.) My business card
says I'm a technical communicator.

For the record: I'm a French major, worked in the retail fashion biz for
several years, then needed a job with more income to fund my kids'
college education. I liked to write, but wasn't too sure exactly what
"software" was (in the early 80's**). My first employer as a techwriter
was a large corporation that prized my ability (learned in an English
high school) to precis -- that is, reduce many words to few without
losing any meaning in the text. The rest they taught me, or paid for me
to go and learn. I have over the years become proficient, and enjoy what
I do: but I'm still learning...

Regards,
Sonia
bayneso -at- amsworld -dot- com

**Back in those days, it was "Workman's" Comp for insurance and "man"
days/hours for time estimates. How soon we forget. If you're too young
to remember those days, try reading "The Women's Room" by Marilyn French
-- it may open your eyes.


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