I am thinking of Nomboniso Gasa’s comment on how women lose the legacy of their work through surname changes. She was reffering to Charlotte Maxeke who did substantial work under her maiden name Manye. With the change of name it was difficult to trace her earlier work to her.

I am reading an article which cites a woman I know. She is cited with her earlier work before her marriage and she is cited once more with a later journal under her husband’s name. I also know that she reverted to her maiden name and her lastest work is in her maiden name again.

I am wondering how much intellectual property is lost this way for women.

Last week I was delighted to learn that there are two Prof Karims, they are married to each other and both are epidemiologists. I wonder if her work is ever erroneously attributed to him?

I suppose his work could also be attributed to her, so it’s fair.

I cannot think of a profession where one does not benefit from building a legacy. You become an expert in any field through a traceable history of your work, which is attached to your name.

I am not suggesting nor prescribing that women retain their names upon marriage. Those are very pedestrian politics and each woman can choose. I also understand that changing your name can be liberating and can sever you from a legacy you no longer embrace e.g terrible fathers.

Before I graduated I told my mother I was going to double barrel my surname to include her maiden name and I wanted that to reflect on my degree. She told me she hated carrying her father’s name and her hated her father. She prefers my father’s name because he loves her.