Scientific networks are often credited with bringing about institutional change and professional advancement, but less attention has been paid to their instability and occasional failures. In the 1970s optimism among academic women was high as changing US policies on sex discrimination in the workplace, including higher education, seemed to promise equity. Encouraged by colleagues, Shyamala Rajender charged the University of Minnesota with sex discrimination when if failed to consider her for a tenure-track position. The widely cited case of this chemist was not, however, settled easily and involved nearly a decade of university grievance procedures and litigation that grew to a class action lawsuit. As the case gained national attention and internal resistance stiffened, the clusters of women who had been encouraging flickered, faded and sometimes regrouped. A negotiated settlement (consent decree) ended Rajender's case, and it opened the door for hundreds of other to present their grievances regarding gender discrimination. Networks and support groups proved important but also unstable for individuals who sought equity before and during the implementation of the decree. The Rajender case thus exposes the painful, balky and inevitably contentious process of fighting discrimination. It also demonstrates the power and limits of institutions and litigation, as well as the possibilities and disappointments of informal and formal women's networks.

中文翻译：

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学术界女性网络不稳定：Shyamala Rajender 的法律案例

科学网络通常被认为带来了制度变革和专业进步，但很少有人注意到它们的不稳定性和偶尔的失败。在 1970 年代，学术界女性的乐观情绪很高，因为美国在工作场所（包括高等教育）性别歧视政策的变化似乎承诺了公平。在同事的鼓励下，Shyamala Rajender 指责明尼苏达大学存在性别歧视，因为她没有考虑让她担任终身教职。然而，这位化学家被广泛引用的案件并没有轻易解决，它涉及近十年的大学申诉程序和诉讼，后来演变为集体诉讼。随着此案引起全国关注，内抗愈演愈烈，一直在鼓动的女人们一闪而过，褪色，有时重新组合。协商解决（同意令）结束了 Rajender 的案件，并为数百人就性别歧视提出申诉打开了大门。对于在该法令实施之前和期间寻求公平的个人来说，网络和支持团体被证明是重要的，但也不稳定。因此，Rajender 案暴露了与歧视作斗争的痛苦、艰难和不可避免的争议过程。它还展示了制度和诉讼的力量和局限性，以及非正式和正式妇女网络的可能性和失望。事实证明，网络和支持团体对于在该法令实施之前和期间寻求公平的个人来说很重要，但也不稳定。因此，Rajender 案暴露了与歧视作斗争的痛苦、艰难和不可避免的争议过程。它还展示了制度和诉讼的力量和局限性，以及非正式和正式妇女网络的可能性和失望。事实证明，网络和支持团体对于在该法令实施之前和期间寻求公平的个人来说很重要，但也不稳定。因此，Rajender 案暴露了与歧视作斗争的痛苦、艰难和不可避免的争议过程。它还展示了制度和诉讼的力量和局限性，以及非正式和正式妇女网络的可能性和失望。