10 Year Anniversary Keynote Speech
Marie Quintana, Speaker

Thank you for inviting me to share in this celebration with you.  When Michele asked me to come back for this event, I really wasn't sure what I could possibly say that could be relevant to you today after ten years of really tremendous growth (not in size, but rather in breadth and depth).  As I thought about all you have accomplished in those ten years, it seemed appropriate to reflect a bit on the section's history.  After all, we can only fully appreciate where we are by revisiting the past.

A lot of us think of New England Shoreline's beginnings in 1987-89 with the big push to charter the section.  In fact, the history goes back a lot further.  In 1981-82, Electric Boat sent Linda Kelly on a recruiting trip to a SWE Convention.  She returned after four days at the Convention so excited about SWE and its possibilties as a support group for women in engineering, she wanted to start a section at Electric Boat.  Unfortunately, there were not enough people (less than 10 women in an engineering staff of over 600).  Even though Linda wasn't able to get a section going, she did such a good job selling SWE that I joined in 1983.  Thus began my association with the Connecticut Section and monthly (sometimes bi-monthly) treks down I-95 to points west (sometimes far west) in a VW beetle.  It was there that I found a small piece of what Linda must have experienced at her first SWE Convention - a place where all the contentiousness of the profession and workplace is set aside in an atmosphere of mutual support.  I met women who became role models for me - women who were living examples of the level of technical and professional achievement possible in the engineering professions.  This was great!  I was never going to get this kind of environment at work - so the drive didn't seem so bad.  After a while, I wasn't alone in the car.  Patricia Jezek (now Kurdziel) came to work at the sound lab in New London from Marquette University and soon became a regular.  Mary Camarco, who had been an active student SWE member, also joined us.

One of the things we often promote about SWE is the opportunity it gives people to develop new skills in an envionment which is supportive.  Usually we think of managerial and organizational skills.  Well, we three were rapidly developing some very competitive driving skills.  The turning point was one business meeting in Bethel, CT.  It should have been a 2 -2 1/2 hour drive depending on conditions.  Patricia was driving, we were all talking.  Patricia was extremely determined - we made it in 1 hour 15 minutes!  On the way home we started talking about a more local section.

By 1987 the effort to charter had gained momentum and by 1989 New England Shoreline was chartered with just about 20 highly motivated women from southeast Connecticut and Rhode Island.  It was an exciting time.  Everyone contributed something to the effort, helping us make our first transformation into a cohesive unit.  I tell this story not just to give you a glimpse at ancient history, but more to illustrate how the experiences and inspiration of each individual contributes to the whole.

That is the strength of New England Shoreline Section.  You build on the individual contributions of members, family and friends, however small they may be, and continue to transform yourselves as an organization.  Whether you recognize it or not, NESS has transformed many times with changing demographics and leadership.  In Fund Development, Donna Ryan has helped with getting the Pfizer grant and Donna Matthews has been instrumental with the banner sales.  In Career Guidance, Sue Anderson's leadership is taking Career Guidance to new levels.  Let's not forget the society's primary purpose is to foster professional/personal growth of its members.  To that end, NESS has always had a balanced Continuing Development effort.  Partnering with other technical and professional societies keeps that strong.

You are successful. NESS has been walking away from national conferences with section achievement awards nearly since its beginning.  Your programs are strong and, in many ways, the envy of much larger sections.  You may not be totally satisfied because you wanted or expected to achieve more.  But don't let that detract from what you have accomplished.  Permit yourselves to be successfuly on whatever level it comes and in whatever form it takes.

As you look forward to the next transformation that will take you into the next decade, reflect just a bit on past history and accomplishments and recognize that the road to future successes is probably down a different path fro where you've been before.  The strategies that worked ten years ago probably won't help you today.  But remember that the source of your strength is the same- the breadth and depth of individual contributions toward the common goal - that is our mutual success in the engineering professions.

In closing, I want to thank you again for inviting me to share this evening with you and thank you for allowing me a small part in your success.

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