At this moment in my life, I work in a completely male dominated job. I work in forestry in western Canada. Where men think they are men.. and women prove them wrong. Ive slaved 10-12 hours a day, proving I can cut it, pushing along side better qualified men.. and less qualified. But, I can do the job, and I have always wanted to. Ive came across alot of rednecks who believe I should be in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant, and not doing what I do.. but I do it. My graduating class for Forestry had 3 women out of a class of 60 graduate..(a few women dropped out in the first year)
But Im through with forestry, the pay is great, but heck, Im getting old, and cant see myself being a bush monkey for the rest of my life...so now I choose CS. Not because I feel the need to prove myself. Ive done that already, but because it interests me...as it probably does many other women..But..the hardest thing, male or female, is getting started. Perhaps men have more ambition in that department, I really dont know. Lifestyles still leave the burden of taking care of yourself more on men. Its not as 'strange' to see a women not working, but a man is considered a bum. This point has little to do with CS precisely, but that occupation desc. is included in there.

Women can and do have the smarts for it, we just dont always know it.

Thats my .02 canadian cents..