What’s so special about women in tech ?
I read this blogpost about women in tech on Techcrunch Europe yesterday. Basically Eileen Burbidge argues that the whole “should we or shouldn’t we focus on women in tech problem” is a supply side issue, and I tend to agree.
But there’s so many other things that counts in this discussion as well.
Fx. I have been a “women in tech” since my teens (running my own tech related company for the last 6 years..) I have really struggled to not be a labelled “the woman in tech” by the media here in Denmark – and believe me – they really want to portrait me like that. I think the whole “women in tech” or “female entrepreneur” (which they label you as well) is a petty. I don’t mind rolemodels at all, but i get furious when we as women are being differentiated because we are women, not because of our work.
A part of me feel alienated when women are portraited as something special just because their women – I mean we’re not THAT special – we are half of the earth species. A part of me don’t think we should even have this discussion – because we don’t have discussions called “more men as nurses” either.
Also people give conference organizers a lot of trouble if there isn’t any women speaking at a conference. I would rather not speak at a conference than know that I was the “woman” card pulled, that they needed to make a better line up. I want to be recognized by the work I do – and not the work I do + being a women in tech… Yes women are different and think different than men on a lot of issues, but it’s not what’s being highlighted, our different approach.
That being said – I really love my female networks, I have a bunch of them, and one of my favorites these days is 85broads which is highly recommendable – there’s just an energy there that you don’t find in networks with both men and women. I guess it’s the ladies way of drinking whiskey and smoking cigars in the business clubs of old.
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The whole gender or color thing will eventually dissapear with higher awareness – meaning being in contact with your heart. Then you sse a PERSON not a gender, then you feel and recognize a PERSON without the ‘sex thing’…
Henriette, so glad that you are finding value in the 85 Broads network. Some people believe that it’s only open to GS alumnae but this is not the case. We encourage all college-age and professional women (as well as women who are transitioning back to the workforce) to join. We have chapters all over the world. There are women starting companies, leaving the corporate world to lead non-profit organizations in education, healthcare, sustainability, etc and serving on for-profit boards for the first time. Do let us know when you’re next in NY!