jack

I think it depends on the anecdote: your person going '...and ninethly' gets a slightly different spin depending on whether or not you set it up as part of a university experience or not. But for many anecdotes the colour or gender or whatever of the person isn't important. However, if you are trying to identify an individual in a college or workplace or other setting, her gender or colour might be a pretty quick way to identify her. (So, in trying to identify a fellow compsci, the fact that you're talking about a woman is sadly a pretty quick way to narrow the field.)