My thoughts are with you. Your mom was a very special person.

There was a lot to admire—and miss—about Gail. She was brilliant while at the same time warm, generous, friendly, welcoming and extremely enthusiastic about whatever she chose to do. Gail was a very accomplished professional and publisher who brightened and influenced the lives of many people. In her quest for excellence, she helped to shape the profession and its largest organization.

Thank you for asking us to celebrate your mom’s life by sharing stories. I remember a conversation with Gail many years ago—the late 1970s I think, a time when women shared stories of being discriminated against simply because we were women. Gail recalled that she had been accepted into an excellent doctoral program in American history—her first academic love. She was very excited and planned to study with an outstanding historian whose work had drawn her to the program. She said that when she arrived for her appointment, the secretary told her that she was sorry that that the faculty member she had expected to meet with to advise her on her doctoral program was not available, but that he had arranged for her to see another professor. Gail remembered that the secretary then handed her an envelope containing her academic folder and directed her to his office. She told me that she thought “I’m holding my entire academic history—letters and all! What an opportunity—to get to look at my folder.” She decided that while she had it, she’d take it to a safe place to view its contents. She chose the ladies room, but being in the ladies room didn’t seem quite secure enough so she took the envelope into a stall and opened it up. It was then that she saw a paper-clipped note on the front of the folder from her chosen professor to the faculty member she was to see that day which said simply, “Will you take this one? I don’t work with women.” Gail recalled being stunned while she tried to absorb the blatant message that had nothing to do with her ability and everything to do with the fact that she was a woman who was seeking a PhD in American history. She said that right there in the stall she had a good cry and decided that this wasn’t the right program for her. It was only after that experience that Gail decided to become a librarian. While it may be tempting to wonder what Gail might have accomplished as a historian—and I have no doubt that she would have left her mark on whatever field she entered—I, personally, am grateful that she chose to enter our field and that she put that indomitable spirit to work on behalf of libraries and librarians.

Joan

Joan C. Durrance, PhD
Professor Emerita
University of Michigan School of Information
Home add: 7272 Park Lake Dr.
Dexter, MI 48130
Home phone : 734-426-4399
Email: durrance@umich.edu