Nellie Saltiel de Lazard, XE1CI, became interested in amateur radio in 1968 when the Olympic Games were held in Mexico City. “My Brother, XE1SR, helped with communications for the games and for me it was a very emotional experience seeing the reaction of the young athletes when they heard the voices of their loved ones back home. Some would weep when they talked and listened to their families so far away” Sharing this wonderful experience with her brother and family was the turning point that made Nellie decide that “no matter what it would take, I would become a licensed amateur.” In 1970, Nellie became XE1CI. Little did she know where amateur radio would take her.

Nellie was educated in the US at Bryn Mawr College, where she majored in liberal arts. After returning to Mexico, Nellie chose to follow the interest in medicine by becoming a volunteer at the Children’s hospital de Mexico. She was accepted immediately because she spoke both English and French, and the hospital needed a translator.

“That was the greatest experience I have ever in my life. For three years nothing mattered to me more than to be able to see a sick child smile at me, instead of seeing a face full of fear, pain, and tears. The children had so many kinds of problems –third degree burns, stomach infections, malnutrition, physical handicaps, abuse and rare illnesses.

EXPEDITIONS

Ever since my interest in amateur radio began, I inclined to make DX and islands. I realized of which in many countries the participation of the women in this pastime was little, so I thought about traveling to those countries or to solitary islands to make radio it would be a good form to facilitate contacts of DX to other women in the world.

My first DXpeditión it went to Puerto Rico and the results of the trip, sensational. From there, I began to plan my following exits.

Luckyly the things occurred so that it could visit many countries and places that I am sure could have known without the amateur radio.