Anne is now the Webmaster/Systems Administrator for the Internet Society and wears many hats. "In some ways its the most interesting job I've had," she says, " because I am constantly being asked to do new things – I'm the only techie on staff, so not only do I maintain and develop the web site, but I manage the web server, do help desk ("no, no, not help desk!"), program the phone system, administer the Society's mailing lists, inventory software, work with the LAN contractor, research Internet issues, deal with vendors and contracts…. you name it."

Anne discovered her bliss by serendipity. In high school she was musical, playing the violin and piano and considered attending a conservatory. But then she acknowledged that while music would always be important in her life – she still occasionally plays the piano – it would be a side bar. So she switched to studying languages and after 4 years at Yale, and a year each in Anne Arbor, MI, Cairo, Egypt, and Bonn, Germany, Anne emerged with a BA and MA in Arabic and Linguistics.

After working for over four years using her language skills, Anne concluded they did not have the market value she was looking for. To increase her opportunities she enrolled in computer vocational school. "In those days we learned Assembler, COBOL, and CICS so my first computer jobs were working on mainframe computers. Eventually I realized that PC programming would give me more options, so I got into Clipper and then FoxPro," says Anne. From there it was just a short hop to web work. Her linguistic skills have served her well in her current position as most members of the Internet Society are located outside the USA. She also uses them to help DCWW. She operates of some of the DCWW language bunches. "Right now I'm doing the Arabic, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese but hope to find others interested in taking over the management of some of these!"

While some of us may know Anne through her language abilities, we all know Anne from her many posts on the DCWW list. And we are not the only group to benefit from her willingness to share her vast knowledge. She participates in many tech and animal related listservs – far too many to track here. Ditto for her bookmarks, which number in the thousands.

Another of Anne's passions is animals. She combines her love of the Internet and animals in MetroPets Online, an Internet-based non profit that she developed and runs. It serves as a portal for DC area animal information, primarily pet care and adoption. Anne relates that through MetroPets, "I deal with dozens of other animal organizations, many of whom to which either I or my associates at MetroPets provide (mostly web-related) volunteer services. We also organize lots of events – computer classes, pet first aid classes, disaster preparedness classes, networking parties, etc. "

Expanding on her concern for animals, Anne lives on a small farm where she takes in a number of rescued animals. "Some," she says, "have taken me in!" Currently the residents include sheep, goats, ducks, indoor rabbits, a horse, a donkey, a cat and a dog!

"Each one of these guys is so special and beautiful and I feel very blessed to be able to live with them." she says. "All of us, except dog and cat, are herbivores so we are really a friendly bunch – as G.B. Shaw said, 'Animals are my friends, and I don't eat my friends'."

Anne reads everything she can get her hands on about farm animal care and about fixing things on the farm and notes, "I used to read good literature, but these days I'm hooked on detective novels." She also loves to go horseback riding bareback and confesses to being a huge Austin Powers fan. Before buying the farm she traveled abroad regularly. Her most recent trips were to Haiti, Cuba, and the Yucatan but now she is land-bound!

Organization sites Anne has worked on (many have been redesigned several times since her tenure):

• University of Maryland, Dept. of Engineering, Architecture and Construction Conservation International (www.conservation.org)
• African Women's Media Center (www.awmc.com)
• International Women's Media Foundation (www.iwmf.org)
• Internet Society (www.isoc.org)

Freelance or pro bono sites:

• WFT Engineering (www.wfteng.com)
• MetroPets Online (www.metropets.org)
• Montgomery County Humane Society (www.mchumane.org)
• Panos Institute (www.panosinst.org)
• Centre de Communication sur le Sida (www.panosinst.org/cecosida/default.shtml)
• Our Own Voice, the Children of Haiti (www.panosinst.org/radio)
• Le P'tit Nouvelliste (www.panosinst.org/radio/lpn)
• Dogs of Mexico (www.language-works.com/MexicoDogs/)
• Sled Dog Action Coalition (www.helpsleddogs.org)