Ciao, bellas: Saying goodbye

This is my farewell column.

Though I recognize that it's unusual to write such a piece in the fall, a time when most students are just beginning their collegiate careers, for me it's fitting -- everything concerning my own college education has been handled unusually. Even how I came to be an opinion columnist for The Daily was unconventional.

After weaseling my way into a magazine writing course as a non-journalism major, I met Christina Siderius. She said that the paper had never had any opinion writers like me -- feminist, older and fascinated by popular culture -- and encouraged me to apply for a staff position.

I did apply and didn't expect to hear back from anyone. But then-editor Maureen Trantham hired me. An uber-hip and wickedly smart woman, she spent two quarters encouraging me to always fight for my columns, and even fought herself to secure me extra page space every week I wrote -- thanks, Girlfriend.

Blythe Lawrence was the next remarkable woman to edit the opinion section, and flattered me immensely by inviting me to write through Spring Quarter. Blythe believed in me enough to let me be as snarky as I wanted to be -- and she always let me keep my well-thought-out headlines. Blythe, thank you for your integrity and your resolute confidence in my work.

At Blythe's suggestion, Tiffany Wan contacted me at the beginning of fall quarter -- my last here at the UW. Over the past several weeks, Tiffany has been supportive and responsible. Thank you, Tiffany, for pushing my thoughts.

There has been a lot of media attention over the past year regarding the lack of women opinion columnists in major newspapers -- a controversy spurred by the notorious e-mails between writer Susan Estrich and Michael Kinsley, the editorial and opinion editor of the Los Angeles Times.

But, as evidenced by Christina, Maureen, Blythe and Tiffany, here in Seattle The Daily fosters many amazing women writers. The Daily may not be a "major newspaper," but a lot of hard work goes into putting out the publication. It's easy for students to knock the paper when they aren't the ones writing and editing columns on top of homework, on top of classes, on top of jobs and on top of life. These women are doing it all.

Best of luck to you girls. I hope to see your bylines rocking the world's op-ed pages soon. I know they will.