I've started looking into the issue of why there aren't many women in working in the Sciences and Engineering. I'm particularly interested in attracting women to Computer Science, software development, and web development. I think women could and would add a lot to improve whatever field they chose - whether they wanted to be Database Administrator, Drupal Hacker, SysAdmin, etc. I think they approach problems differently, and they would help create better solutions.
From reading various accounts by women, it seems my fellow male developers haven't very been nice to the women they've met in their careers. Guys, If that's you, you should be ashamed of yourself. Ladies, not all guys are like them.
What I want know is, How can I help? I'm looking for specific ways I can help, because currently I'm not sure how. Please advise.
Comments
Hey, thanks for getting in
Hey, thanks for getting in touch with us via Twitter!
It's interesting you chose us to get in touch with, as Drupal is ahead of the pack as far as women's involvement in open source (stats from last year: http://groups.drupal.org/node/24044), but still behind the proprietary software world.
A good place to start is Angie Byron (aka. webchick)'s Keynote from the OpenWeb Vancouver conference last year, on women in open source - http://webchick.net/presentations/women-in-open-source-owv-09 and the link to the video: http://webchick.net/files/videos/women-in-open-source-owv09.flv Angie is the upcoming version's core maintainer, and she's well respected in the community, so her insights were very meaningful. I know a lot of guys in the greater open source community found it pretty eye-opening.
And I have a little interview on Lullabot's podcast, talking about the Drupalchix group, and the role it plays in the Drupal community, as well as some of the dynamics that we've been contending with. (And note, I mention a developer "chx" who is one of the core contributors, not a general reference to "chicks", it was pointed out that it's a bit confusing for people outside the community!) http://www.lullabot.com/podcasts/drupal-voices-103-ariane-khachatourians...
Those will give you a feel for some of how gender has been playing a role, particularly in the Drupal community. I feel like just having this group has actually helped to make women feel more comfortable when they first get involved with the community, but we try and use it as a stepping stone to the wider community, rather than an enclave.
As far as how you can help - I would just say be supportive and helpful towards any women who show an interest in tech, and help connect them particularly with other women who can be mentors. And then help to make whatever tech projects/workplaces/etc. you are a part of friendly towards women, younger devs, etc. by setting a standard for public behaviour, and encouraging other men in the community to do the same.
This means no comments you wouldn't normally make to any males in the community, not making assumptions about peoples' gender identities, not making assumptions about skill levels, etc.
I'm sure the other group members will chime in, but that's my two cents! Thanks for the question too, just the fact that you're thinking about wanting to help is a help in itself.
Showing up and being visible goes a long way ...
The more women who are visibly present in any setting, the more welcome others will feel. Change really has to come in two areas - society in general (a tall order!) and tech in particular. I think women need to step up and participate; many more women show up (and present) at Drupal Camps than at regular user group meetings, at least in NYC. What can get these other women more regularly involved?
The tone of discussions and open hostility to women tends to be reduced when more women are visibly around - just about any workplace in the past 40 years is an example of this.
We can hope more of the men will begin to realize how much stupid rigid gender stereotypes actually stifle them too. And also if your business is building websites, women are a large part of your market.
Jean
Jean Gazis
www.jeangazis.com
www.webhostny.com
Serious and lighter options
I've been working in web development/IT since the mid 1990s, in the UK, Silicon Valley, New York and Philadelphia, and my current position is only the second time I have not had a majority-female team - I've never personally found the field to be nearly as male-dominated as reported. The one difference I have seen is that most of my female colleagues and employees came from other backgrounds into technology, but I always found that to be an asset - advanced degrees in the humanities and arts on top of great tech skills mean that you have a team that can write and communicate clearly.
While that's not to say those coming from an academic IT background, male or female, necessarily lack those other skills, I've found it to be the case more often than not when interviewing candidates. And while it would be great to see more women moving into IT at the undergrad and grad school level, a willingness to consider someone with the sort of background described above is one potential way to up the number of women in the field.
On a less serious note, I've always been annoyed at the lack of tech t-shirts in women's fits - my closet is full of new product launch and server migration shirts that are essentially tents on me. I like to flaunt my geek pride, and I need something that fits to do so - if that helps encourage a girl to take up tech, then hey, whatever works! I think the Drupal community scores well in this regard...
Lisa
http://www.lisagrimm.com
I was kind of thrown into the
I was kind of thrown into the Drupal world a few years ago when my boss told me create a website. I'm a Marketing major, so this was never really the plan. From the beginning, I've seen nothing but support from the Drupal community and honestly, it was because of their support that I've grown to be more involved. Their willingness to help, brainstorm ideas, and just be there has helped me want to learn more and become better with Drupal. There have been a few within the community who haven't been as welcoming but I try to just ignore it and use it as fuel to the fire to learn.
Overall, I've been very blessed with a great community and definitely wouldn't have the knowledge I do today without their support. So, to answer your question of how you can help is to just continue educating and supporting females among the community. I think we're on the right track. You could possibly reach out further (in local communities or via social media) to meet others not already in your direct circle and build a relationship from there. I know the local Florida Drupal Group has reached out to me, as well as my community via Twitter, quite often and it's comforting to know I have them.
So, that would be my suggestion on how you can personally help. Just keep reaching out to people. Being welcomed & knowing you have people to turn to pumps me up and helps me feel like I am apart of the Drupal community, regardless of my experience level.
Increasing Visibility
Thank you ladies for your feedback. I reviewed the PDF slides from Webchick's presentation above. I learned quite a bit from it. The drupal voices interview with arianek is also helpful. In addition to what Grammarian said about visibility, having more role models i think will help. It's always helpful to see people like yourself, living your dream. If they can, you can too. Here's a Mashable article that came out this morning that highlights 15 women in tech. Some are internet famous, some are not, but all of them kick ass in their respective specializations. http://mashable.com/2010/07/28/developer-hacker-women-twitter/
The overall themes of all your responses is around communication and behavior. Be supportive, and encouraging, Enforce standards of behaviour. Reach out to women that are already interested in the field. It's important in itself to note that the necessary changes are centered around behaviour, and culture. I'm guessing a lot of men assume that women aren't interested in software or computer science. You're responses seem to dispel that myth. I'm glad to hear that the Drupal community is ahead of the curve in the open source world.
Mastodon Labs
Passionate about people and the web
@mastodonlabs
I saw another interesting
I saw another interesting (long) post come up through Twitter today that was totally on topic: http://www.stubbornella.org/content/2010/07/26/woman-in-technology/
For the record, like efarmer, I've had a fantastic experience becoming part of the Drupal community. I've witnessed a tiny amount of sexist behaviour, but none of it directed at me, and the vast majority of the men in the community are stellar examples of supportive, inclusive members of the community.
From my perspective, the
From my perspective, the number one most important thing is not tolerating sexism in any form from your peers. That was the thing that resonated most with me in webchick's talk. If I complain about a sexist attitude, it only reinforces stereotypes about women being overly sensitive, so usually I try to keep my mouth shut. But if a male peer steps up and says "Hey, that's not OK," it definitely makes a difference--not only because it encourages people to re-think their behavior, but because a man siding against sexism helps break down this whole idea that it has to be "men vs. women" at all. The more we can do to create that egalitarian climate, the more women with tentative or passing interest in a field or community will feel welcome and get involved.
I've been involved in a lot of very male-dominated fields and communities in my life. Looking back, I ended up leaving all those where sexism was tolerated (or homophobia, and the two usually went together), even supposedly "lighthearted," "just joking" stuff... or even people repeatedly making a big deal out of the fact that I was a woman, with no ill intent at all. Those little things wore me down and eventually I just didn't want to deal with it anymore. I'm sorry to give a negative example rather than a positive one, but for me personally that's what's made the difference.