Our Family Had Big Dreams

Book excerpt: Our Family Had Big Dreams is a multi-generational story about working towards goals while living and learning along the way. Written with honesty, humility, and humour, author Jennifer Murphy’s memoir starts with the story of her parents in England and their dreams, and then follows her life in Canada as a scientist in a field dominated by men. She reflects on how both journeys have also affected the next generation in her family. Jenny’s inspirational story is about breaking traditional moulds and following one’s dreams in two different countries. Her story also provides an interesting insight into the hardships experienced in Britain after the Second World War, into lifestyles in England in the ’50’s and the “swinging ’60’s”, and the differences between cultures and educational systems in England and Canada. It is a story that also shines a light on attitudes towards women in the last 75 years. Jenny uniquely shares her latest adventure in life—returning to university in her seventies—as she continues her lifelong pursuit of knowledge and embracing whatever’s next.