Fun name, serious business: Digitini, Women in Tech at SXSWi
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On Saturday, March 13, at SXSW Interactive 90 women gathered in the penthouse offices of PGi headquarters to honor women leaders of the technology world. A special event organized by “causemopolitan,” Sloane Berrent and I, the “Digitini” luncheon celebrated raconteur Cathy Brooks of Other Than That, Altimeter Group’s Charlene Li, CNN’s Jennifer Martin, Read Write Web’s Jolie O’Dell, Facebook’s Randi Zuckerberg, Comcast’s Shauna Causey, Porter Novelli’s Stephanie Agresta and PGi’s Jackie Yeaney.
The concept for Digitini began as a way to showcase success and inspire the next generation of women leaders and evolved into an afternoon of gratitude for attendees. For me it was another wake up call of the severe shortage of women who actually fall under the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) category.
As we planned Digitini, the umbrella term “technology” included women who identified innovative ways to use existing technologies, report or blog about the industry in addition to traditional IT (and actual application of science in industry).
Why? Because men comprise 75 percent of the technology field and at SXSW Interactive its no different. We wanted to get as many women in the room as possible who contribute to the technology field in different (and sometimes unique) ways. Mission accomplished. So, what’s next?
First, why are women underrepresented? Dr. Rebecca Harding, Delta Economics, says one of the major reasons is, “ The ‘gendered nature’ of specific science disciplines which tend to be self-perpetuating and lead to a decline in participation as women progress up the professional ladder.”
Second, a single event will not change an entire industry. The first time a woman in tech won the ACM A.M. Turing Award (tech industry’s highest honor)? Not until 2007. Tech recruitment needs to begin with young women. It starts with events like Digitini—recognizing women to let them know their work is valued and then moving into action. Next time around, we can host an event and invite young women to meet with accomplished professionals and learn about technology career options.
Third, the majority of women who attended Digitini make their living from technology. I want to see more women inventing new technologies. Since The United States Department of Labor estimates that by 2016 there will be more than 1.5 million computer-related jobs available, the next generation of women in technology will have access to jobs that don’t even exist yet. This means opportunity!
Fourth, I still want to help raise the profile of current women in the technology field. The theme of the Digitini afternoon was to raise the profile of women in tech, whether through speaking opportunities, content contribution or mentoring one another. The majority of panels, interviews, speaking opportunities, etc feature men. I want to see (and contribute to) a continuing movement of women promoting women and raising the profile. I think we can do it.
This was my takeaway from SXSWi 2010.
NOTE: I’m not a “tech” woman; I use existing and emerging technologies as part of my career. I wish I had the brain bandwidth to invent something cool. At this stage in the game, it’s probably not going to happen.
13 Comments on this post
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Laptop Carrying Cases said:
The Digitini name is catchy….although it makes it sound like the focus was on drinking lol. It is surprising that there are still so few women in technology industries. You’d think the internet would help start to balance that. Then again, when I went to college for computer systems, women were outnumbered about 20 to 1.
March 18th, 2010 at 1:33 pm -
Sarah Evans said:
Yes, let’s get more women in tech!
March 19th, 2010 at 10:30 am -
Bill Cammack said:
Sweet!
Way to go, ladies!
March 19th, 2010 at 10:39 am -
how to start a blog said:
I think men need to step up to the plate and give themselves recognition, too.
March 19th, 2010 at 2:03 pm -
used tires said:
Like LCC, in most of my previous experiences in tech industry, I’ve seen men outnumber women by a lot so it’s certainly good to see it get more balanced now. Good luck to Digitini and future women in tech.
Till then,
Jean
March 20th, 2010 at 2:34 am -
wholesale handbags said:
Yeah women, are everywhere in each and every kind tech field. I’m also not among of them however hoping to be a successful media women a day!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:40 am -
Laptop Carrying Cases said:
@how to start a blog: funny stuff. In today’s politically correct world I don’t think that go over too well.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:50 pm -
Catering Florida said:
Women in Tech. interesting to see, its huge amount of women get together its good sign.
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:10 am -
Sloane Berrent said:
Sarah – Really fun partnering with you on this project at SXSW! I can hardly believe what a success the event was. It was a magical day and I’m happy we got to share in it together. Keep rocking girl!
March 29th, 2010 at 12:55 am -
portable sauna said:
Good to see something like that. Success women become alot.
March 30th, 2010 at 1:32 pm -
Laptop Carrying Cases said:
It is good to see that more and more women are getting into technology fields. With facebook and improved cell phones I would expect tech fields to balance out over time.
April 1st, 2010 at 6:01 pm -
beach clog said:
That’s nice said: “brain bandwidth to invent something cool” …
April 7th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
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