Thank you for all the stories you continue to share with our Women of Fisheries Board! Here, we will feature a subset of these stories and advice from our amazing women of fisheries and allies. May they be used to inform, inspire, and move us forward into the future.
Network, network, network. There’s evidence that making connections is one of the most successful ways for women to get ahead, in any profession. Every professional opportunity I’ve had has been related—in one way or another—to a professional connection I had. Getting involved in AFS—not just paying dues, but editing a newsletter, serving on a committee, and so forth—is how people have come to know me and my strengths. It’s also how I developed skills and experience that weren’t directly related to my ‘day job’, but helped me do my job better (or prepare for the next one). It doesn’t have to be AFS, but I strongly encourage everyone to find a way to build a network and stretch themselves professionally.
-Jesse Trushenski, past-President of the American Fisheries Society, from her Fish Sister Profile
“Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” Ms. Frizzle had it completely right.
-Julie Claussen from her Fish Sister Profile
Don’t let anyone tell you what the “right” timeline in for your life, your degree, or your career trajectory.
-Julie Vecchio, from her Fish Sister Profile
As you move through your career, give your sisters in fisheries a hand up! Cultivate those relationships for the long-term.
-Shirley Baker, from her Fish Sister Profile
Keep pushing to make this career path better for the next cohort- not just women, everyone.
-Leanne Roulson, American Fisheries Society President, from her Fish Sister Profile
We all have a voice, so whenever you can, lift up others and invite them to the fisheries table.
-Kim Bonvechio, Women of Fisheries Board Member, from her Fish Sister Profile
Have confidence in your knowledge and skills that you bring. If you don’t know something, ask questions. And don’t be afraid to jump in.
-Lynn Mattes, Women of Fisheries Board Member, from her Fish Sister Profile
One of my most impactful memories was at a national American Fisheries Society meeting, early in my career. I was waiting in line for the restroom during a break in the plenary session, when a more seasoned woman at the conference came up and said “Oh! A line”, and we all said something to the effect of it being frustrating, to which she replied, “No, this is great! When I first started attending, there was never a line!” Her perspective made me grateful for her and others that were the rare exception for making the path a little easier for the next generation.
– Sara Turner, Women of Fisheries Board Member
I first got involved with fisheries as a Wildlife Biology student during my time in undergrad at Unity College in Maine. I wanted to be “well rounded” and so I decided to take several fisheries-based classes and write my thesis using fisheries data. I had never driven a boat, had minimal trailer training, and had only ever had goldfish, but I found that I really enjoyed everything about the experience. One day I got a call from a fellow Unity graduate who was working on FWC’s Freshwater Fisheries Long-Term Monitoring crew asking if I would like to help for three months on a project setting fyke nets throughout Florida. I said yes and left two weeks later to move to Florida for “three months.” Needless to say, after seven years, I am still here! I have been able to learn and grow so much while here and always strive to continue to learn something new. Sometimes opportunities of interest come knocking – you just have to open the door and have the courage to say, “Yes.”
– Jennifer Moran, from Every journey begins with a first step
My PhD research is focused on studying the spatial and dietary ecology of two recreationally important fishery species in the nearshore waters surrounding Ascension Island. With the support of local government and community members I was also able to collect food web samples which will provide the first blueprint of the Ascension Island nearshore foodweb which is critical for its management. During this time, I formed strong local partnerships and friendships which lead me to finally come to terms with and accept my sexuality. Since coming out as a bisexual woman I have tried to become a strong advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ representation in fisheries science by speaking on a podcast (The Fisheries Podcast) and forming a group for LGBTQIA2S+ identifying students at the University of Windsor. In the future I hope to continue this advocacy while working in the field of marine science which will have direct fisheries management applications.
– Danielle Orrell, a 2022 Women of Fisheries Gives Back! Award recipient
One of my most fond Fisheries memories throughout my diverse experiences has been electrofishing for Lake Sturgeon on the Saint Louis Estuary of Lake Superior for a week in Duluth, MN, assisting a fellow UWSP graduate student with his research project. My favorite fish species is Lake Sturgeon, and I love electrofishing, so putting those two things together; watching sturgeon swim and surface all over the river (sometimes popping up right in front of you), chasing them around, trying to then haul them into the boat, and then getting to handle and take scientific information from them, all in the name of science, was absolutely amazing and awesome!
– Jenna Ruzich, a 2022 Women of Fisheries Gives Back! Award recipient
I always think it is important to point out that everyone’s path is unique. I did several other jobs (e.g. community development, engineering) prior to getting involved in fisheries. It’s ok to seek out opportunities that are outside of your field that grow your skills in leadership, organization, writing, and problem solving. Exploring other careers made me appreciate graduate school and fisheries even more!
– Dr. Katelyn King, from Bridging the Disconnect
Marine biology is such a big field that entails such a huge diversity of different kinds of work. In figuring out my niche in this big world, I got involved in many very different projects to figure out where my interests lie. For me, I really enjoyed getting out into the field, seeing the animals in 3D, and coming up with new and creative ways to test their behavior.
– Dr. Lauren Nadler, from Getting by with a Little Help from my Friends
This research presented me with the opportunity of meeting and working together with some of my personal ‘heroes’ in the field, for which I feel extremely grateful! These included established and ‘next gen’ women academics (some later to become dear friends – part of my extended ‘home-port’ community) but also fishing community leaders. I feel grateful to have had supportive mentors that elevated my voice and provided space for growth.
– Dr. Eva Papaioannou and Dr. Becca Selden, from our Not all those Who Wander are Lost
I think this paper is in line with what seems like a feminist wave in science, or at least a call to action for people to actively think about this and be aware of our implicit biases. This is not the first paper to point this out and it won’t be the last. We have already gotten some push back because typically older white men want to argue that “science is not subjective”, but that simply isn’t true. We are fallible human beings and we bring those biases to the table whether we like it or not. We hope this paper continues to spark conversation and encourages people to think about other perspectives, not just the ones that have precedent, especially considering female voices were not really present or incorporated into that “precedent.”
– Dr. Kady Lyons, from Can our Biases Impede Scientific Progress?
What sticks in my mind about my nearly two decades in the fisheries field, is the impact of small actions. Early on as a graduate student, I was at a conference with hundreds of people in attendance, mostly men with much more experience than me. During the Q & A that followed my presentation, one of these men stood up and asked a very condescending question and I froze, unsure what to do or how to react with so many other eyes upon me. It was then, that another biologist, 20 years my senior, stood up for me – literally. He made it clear that the comment was both misdirected and the tone in which it was made unprofessional. Over the years, I have many situations where others – both men and women – have used their voice in similar ways to make me feel heard, supported, and valued. I hope I have done the same, for I know on a personal level how seemingly small actions – of using your influence and your voice to bring others in and lift them up – can have a big impact.
– Anonymous Women of Fisheries member
After graduating with my masters degree with the support of an excellent (male) major professor and in a program with a large proportion of women students, I started my job search and came face to face with blatant sexism that I was naïve enough to think did not really exist anymore. I met with a scientist at a prestigious institution, dressed professionally in a business skirt, blouse, and jacket, and explained my experience and goals for employment. He listened (I thought), but then looked me up and down slowly and said, “I don’t have any scientific positions available right now, but I could use a secretary.” Obviously, I turned down that offer. Fortunately, after that degrading experience, I went on to work with several male mentors that respected my knowledge and input, actively included me in projects to develop my skill set, and became valued colleagues and friends as I developed into a project leader in fisheries research. Over my 20-year career, many positive changes have happened, but there is more work to be done. Support, from all colleagues, is necessary to make sure all voices are heard, respected, and encouraged.
– Anonymous Women of Fisheries member