Response to Adam about women in tech speaking at conferences
In every area, there are men and women who are qualified and deserve positions and recognition.
Yet positions, recognition and even conference speaking invitations are given by those in charge. I’ve had a series of fortunate events and I’ve been hired and promoted by people who knew me or knew my work. Many people haven’t had my luck and that is a problem that exists in our society. I’m taking the time tonight to tell you why you need to change your attitude about this topic.
CORA!
I was surprised to see you were the father of a baby girl.
My father understood in the 70’s his role of being a Dad to a girl. He bought me legos and erector sets so that I could build. I had dolls, but I had “boys toys” because he knew that I would go to school with boys and need to be able to compete with them. My father is a feminist because he watched women get stepped on and overlooked for positions at his company. He was an actuary and he made sure that women who were interested in the area prepared for tests and got positions in the company. He knew back then what I would be facing in a man’s world.
Adam, so you know what it is like to be a minority. I do too. I sat in computer conferences 10 years ago and was one of three women in a room full of about 150 white and Asian men. Again, I’m lucky because I was the free spirit and I didn’t realize what the statistics back then. I just thought “wow this is cool, they love computers as much as I do.”
Now, when I am not being a fantastic tech teacher to some talented middle schoolers, I work for a company that let’s me hire the people who work on my team. Men and women are needed to work together in my opinion because we think differently and as a result make a great team. To overlook that aspect, would say that we don’t have a good understanding of society. Conferences that leave out women as speakers is uncalled for in our day. There are just as many qualified women as there are men. Anyone who doesn’t believe that they can be replaced by someone is naive.
Finally, tonight I realized that women have so far to go. Not because we aren’t THERE, but because there are people who aren’t THERE with us. I will accept every single speaking opportunity that is sent my way as a result of your words tonight. May my students, nieces, your daughter and my future children never know that we lived in such a backward society.
Props to my Dad, my professors, L. Anis and all the men who I have worked for and with over the years. I have always felt supported and acknowledged as a professional and equal.
Hugs,
marlene
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