I'm in the humanities, but I really identified with your story - I think it's one that is common across the disciplines. Even in those that might look like they are more gender- or race-balanced, the power generally isn't. But exactly how do we fight, especially those of us who have not yet gotten a tenure-track job, or who will not *get* tenure if we rock the boat?
Great post and very inspiring. You are right, we need to do something. It is so easy to slip into the idea that the system is what it is and we must conform if we want to participate, but it shouldn't be that way.
As a woman and engineering post-doc looking for an academic job, I can totally relate to your 'pre-story'. While I do still believe that women need to be strong, persistent and clever in our search to fulfill our dreams, I have learned the hard way (only after taking a job across the world from my entire support network) that I am a much more effective heroine when I am not alone. Thanks for your great post.
This is one my favorite posts. Thank you for this.
Unrelated to your post, but I tagged you!
See my blog for the rules, lady 
Excellent. Well done. One of the most rewarding things about blogging is finding people like you, who think like me and challenge me to do more, better. Thank you.
Thanks for the comments all! Just a quick response to Barb -- I was told again and again that my actions would lead to my academic downfall (the union activity, striking, arrests, etc). Instead, I am starting my first t-t job this fall, and am only the second person from my lab to do this. All the people who told me I was being stupid are either still in grad school (years beyond the average), quit, or are adjuncting.
The reality is that you will have the life you want if you fight for the life you want... provided that you figure out how to build relationships in the middle of that fighting. So I don't think you need to have a fight for union recognition like I did, but you do need to pull people around you in solidarity. We all need allies. And it is a lie we are all fed in grad school that doing what we feel is right will hurt our academic aspirations.... IMHO .
Hi Kate-
Also loved the post but I have a something a little off topic.
It is a suggestion for a new possibly collaborative post. I am just finishing up my PhD and I am thinking about all the things I wish I had known when I started and how I would of done things differently knowing what I know now (and boy would things have gone much smoother). Anyway, maybe a post passing your wisdom on to new graduate students then let those of up at the end of our PhD and beyond post our thoughts in the comments. I am guessing there is going to be a theme and therefore this might be incredibly useful for people just embarking on this journey (women or not).
I know you have posted about things similar to this before and I haven't read all the archives so hopefully I am not suggesting something too redundant.
Here's to some sound sleep for you.
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