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Israel Conference.
This year our national conference was held in Rehovot and it was well-attended.
Rehovot does not have a hotel so people were put up in the new visitors' residence
of the Hebrew University Rehovot Campus and in private homes.
A lecture on genetic engineering was extremely interesting and thought-provoking.
Dinner was served by the Faculty Pool, followed by a sing-song.
The next day our panel of three female scientists told us what it is like to
juggle scientific needs and demands with those of wife, mother and grandmother.
All were professors – one dealing mainly with medical research, one with plant physiology
and the third- a very young professor indeed!- is a mathematician and computer
expert.
Next followed a fascinating talk on the history of Rehovot which was
founded 113 years ago. Nearly 100 people were crammed into a room meant for 50
but the silence was absolute and the rapt expressions of the audience was tribute to
all of our speakers.
Each year a silver chain of office is awarded to the Club which has accomplished
most in the past year and this time we were the proud recipients. This was in
recognition of our work with the Ethiopians and the money we raised for 11 grants
to educate women in various fields.
On a lighter note – this was written amidst the stress and strain of the Conference
and I hope you enjoy it.
Sylvia Flowers of the Rehovot Club.
Conference Blues
Conferences come and conferences go
In fact this conference was nearly full of woe;
The hot water for drinks was cold, whereas the cold water was warm,
This in itself was enough to create quite a storm.
They told us our hall was being used for an exam
So into a smaller hall we all had to cram.
We also had to go from place to place
And so it became quite a race.
We're sorry the sandwiches weren't enough
For those who didn't get one it was really tough
We had a lot of trouble arranging for food
At least we hope it all tasted good!
To lectures like those I could listen all day
Women in science are definitely here to stay
Although I'll allow that men are also pretty good
(If I hadn't said that, I 'd have been rude!)
Conferences are meant to be lots of fun
As long as you're not trying to organize one
It's not at all easy to arrange the where and the when
Still, Rehovot would be happy to do it all again.
To sum up, we hope you all keep in touch….
And thank you all, very very much.
Click for some Photos from the Convention