Resources
NATIONAL CENTER FOR WOMEN AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Link to website
The center recognizes women perspectives and ideas as important aspects to insure success of newer technologies in the future competitive world of technology. The lack of participation from women threatens the future’s ability to compete and lead in the global marketplace. The center also points out the issues to be addressed to support women involvement in the technology fields. The National Center for Women and Information Technology has a mission to ensure that women are fully represented in the influential world of information technology( from the web site). The center recognizes that introducing women to technology from a younger age is important to ensure their future involvement. A brochure with information and ideas to help ensure future participation from women could be found on the website.
Women and computing(computer professionals for social responsibility)
Link to website
This site contains resources that play a part in the mentoring process; it also acknowledges the facts and statistics of women with experience in the technology and computer fields. The site links to many articles, books as well as links to other web sites with issues on gender inequalities and gaps in computer industry. The site also points out a £ one million fund that was approved in January 2002 established in the UK to help attract more women to the technology industry.
General bibliography:gender and technology
Link to website
This is a bibliography of resources used by Jennifer Brayton’s Sociology M.A. thesis. These resources are good starter points to the research.
ITRAIN ONLINE
Link to website
This is an online training website for women as well as men. It holds many resources for women on all technical levels from beginners to advanced users. ItrainOnline is a joint effort of six organizations with experience in computer and Internet training in southern United States. ItrainOnline seeks to overcome skill gaps in development by connecting people with the needs of ICT learners and trainers. The site aims to:
- Provide a selection of relevant computer and Internet training resources for the development and social change
- Provide access to appropriate information that suites the way development organizations and civil society groups in the South learn.
- Concentrate on training and guiding for the development of organizations and civil society groups.
WOMEN IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Link to website
This site is a weblog that holds an assembled collection of organizations, resources, and links to sites focusing on women in Information Technology. Jerry McDonough at the school of Information Management & Systems founded WIIT. The site has grown and expanded over the years, and now it also covers science, research, engineering, along with many other technology related fields. This was a great aid to researching other sites relating to the topic of women in IT. While browsing through the site I ran across several posted comments that the site is sexist because of the name, suggesting changing the name to peopleinit.net. Some complaints were that the emphasis of the site is too technology related and not bikini related.
WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY QUEENSLAND
Link to website
WIT is a non- profit association working to maintain an active network of women in the technology industry, in fields such as Information Technology, biotechnology and telecommunications. WIT strives to expedite career development through a range of programs such as role models, mentoring, Scholarships and special interest groups. WIT was founded in 1997 by a group of 11 women holding discussion groups to share experiences and knowledge with other women in IT. Today WIT members have grown to 400 persons. Over the years WIT has grown but has not strayed away from the original goals until recently. In 2003 the association has moved from Women in Information Technology to Women in Technology and encouraging participation from women in current growing technology fields.
The association strives to continuously grow membership involvement while at the same time continuing to achieve the original goals. These goals are:
- To maintain a structured volunteer program while ensuring that volunteers are recognized and rewarded to their contributions.
- To develop and implement projects and programs that meet the personal and professional development needs of the members.
- To increase recognition of the achievements and capabilities that women bring to technology industries.
GIRL TECH
Link to website
Started in 1995 by Dr. Janese Swanson with a goal to encourage girls to use and enjoy technology also to explore different life styles. Girl Tech is targeted towards 8-12 year old girls. The Club Girl Tech web site provides a line of electronic products that are designed specifically for girls. Girl tech is involved in research to enhance the way technology is presented to an audience of girls as well as boys. The site provides a list of idea suggestions and concepts that can be used by the Industry and Media to improve the products they are developing for girls. The site also provides suggestions to parents about different products they can purchase and different lifestyles they can choose for their daughters in order for them to grow up enjoying technology.
WIN IT
WITT NN has many projects in progress one of which is Women in Information Technology (Win IT)
Link to website
The Win IT site is designed to aid girls and women in exploring careers in Information Technology and introduce them to other women involved in the field. The project believes that increased access to IT knowledge and hands-on learning will give the opportunity of more women pursuing careers in Information Technology.
Here is some interesting data I was able to find on the IT project site:
| Today | In One Year | In Two Years |
|---|---|---|
| Project Manager (73.7%) | Project Manager (60.5%) | Project Manager (60.5%) |
| Senior software engineer/developer (60.5%) | Web developer/designer(47.4%) | Technical/Consultant(44.7%) |
| Web developer/designer(47.4) | System engineer(44.7%) | Help desk technician(42.1%) |
| Manager/Lead developer(42.1%) | Technical/Consultant(44.7%) | System Engineer(39.5%) |
| Q&A analyst/Test engineer(31.6%) | Senior software engineer/developer(42.1%) | Senior software engineer/developer(36.8%) |
| Product manager/Technical marketing(31.5%) | Manager/Lead developer(42.1%) | Junior Software Engineer/Developer(36.8%) | Help desk technician(42.1%) |
(Source:www.wittn.com/english/winit)
WITT National Network
Link to website
This is an educational organization whose main focus is to promote and assist in the recruitment, training and retention of Canadian women in technology, trades and blue-collar work. WITT NN is a non-profit organization, and a registered Canadian charity. Organization History: The organization was established in the 1970’s with lots of hard work to increase the success of women participating in Trades, Technology, Operations and Blue Collar Work. The first conference for WITT was called “Women in Trades” and it was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1988, a second National WITT Conference was held in Naramata, B.C. this time the gathering of female advocates, employers, unions, government representatives and educators joined together to address the issues that caused a decrease in employment of women after the 1987 Federal Employment Equity Act. 1990, the Industrial Adjustment Service was formed. This committee used a traditional government program to create a new model to bring together everyone who was interested in moving forward with the issues at hand. Over the years there have been many more conferences on national and regional levels that have helped the organization to grow stronger. Since 1988 WITT has grown from six groups to as large as 20 groups across Canada. Mission Statement:
To further the goals of the organization, WITT NN will:
1. Act as a network and national advocacy group to help women achieve and maintain employment in trades, technology, operations and blue collar work.
2. Educate and assist business, labour, government and educators by providing information and services and acting as a liaison among these groups.
3. Foster the development of provincial, territorial, regional and local WITT organizations by providing information and encouragement.
4. Educate the public and private sectors about women’s potential as tradespeople, technologists, and operational and blue collar workers.
5. Recognize and celebrate the spirit, diversity and achievements of women in trades, technology, operations and blue collar work.
Women in Technology International
Link to website
WITI is an organization designed to help women advance by providing them with access to support from other women in the professional Technical industry. Carolyn Leighton founded WITI in 1989; today’s WITI is a global network of smart and talented women with powerful supported programs that provide connections, resources and opportunities to many women on an international level.
1. The organization’s goals are: Provide a platform of connections, resources and opportunities
2. Transform corporate and media perceptions of women
3. Create a pipeline of women to fill leadership positions in corporate America
4. Demonstrate that advancing women directly contributes to the prosperity of all
5. Influence top leaders in government, academia and industry to recognize the purchasing power of women
6. Encourage girls and young women to choose business and technology careers
(Source:www.witi.com)
Women Technician Club
Link to website
The Womentechworld.org is an on-line chat and message area where women from all over the United States can connect, share ideas and success stories. The website is made possible and is part of the Women Tech Project which is in turn run by the IWITTS( The Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science.
The Women Tech Project is designed to increase the number of women enrolled in Technology education with the aid of Three Demonstration sites from different community colleges. The Three colleges are The Community College of Rhode Island, North Harris Montgomery Community College, and The college of Alameda, in Alameda CA.
The IWITTS is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 that receives funding in many ways. Some of the organization funding comes from foundations, collaborative partnerships, and sales of publications. The organization serves as a national resource to the educational and job-training systems and employers. Some resources are: National and state policy work, training for educators and employers, and Web sites as well as electronic strategies.
CRA-W
Link to website
The computer Research Association Committee on the status of Women in Computing Research is an organization dedicated to involving more women in the education and research of fields of Computer Science and Engineers. The organization also strives to increase the success and experiences of women involved in these fields of study. A forum is provided to address problems encountered within women’s domain.
CRA-W is successful due to the quality of people such as project coordinators who are involved in the committee
INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGY
Link to website
Dr. Anita Borg established the Institute For Women and technology in 1997. The Institute is an advanced research, development organization. It also thrives to draw women from around the world into actively and equitably becoming involved in the definition and creation of information technologies.
- The Institute follows a mission with three objectives To increase the impact of women on all aspects of technology.
- To increase the positive impact of technology on the lives of the world’s women.
- To help communities, industry, education and governments benefit from these increases.
- Some facts from the web site: Bullet proof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, automatic dishwasher and laser printers were all invented by women.
- The original idea and patent that led to cellphone technology was thought of by an actress named Hedy Lamarr.
- Girls represent 17 percent of the Computer Science “AP� test takers, and less than one in 10 of the higher level Computer Science “AB� test takers.
- Women are roughly 20 percent of IT professionals.
- Women receive less than 28 percent of the computer science bachelor’s degrees, down from a high of 37 percent in 1984. Computer science is the only field in which women’s participation has actually decreased over time.
- Women make up just 9 percent of the recipients of engineering-related bachelor’s degrees.
- To encourage more women and girls to prepare for careers in information technology
- To enable all women and girls to use information technology comfortably and knowledgeably
- To assure that the richness and breadth of women’s lives and concerns are fully represented and readily available on the Internet
- To foster research concerning the relationship between gender and information technology
The mission accomplished through four specific programs associated with the institution. The four programs are: The Grace Hopper Celebration of women in Computing conference, The Systers online community, The Senior Women’s Summit and finally the Virtual Development Center.
THE SYSTERS ONLINE COMMUNITY
Link to website
This online community is the largest all-female online community of women in computer science and was the original online community specifically designed for women in computing. It was established in 1987, and today it includes more than 2550 members from more than 38 countries. Leading the Institute today is Dr. Robin Jeffries of Sun Microsystems. Dr. Jeffries is leading an infrastructure redesign with the goal of a possible future 10,000 systers made up of both junior and senior women in computer related fields.
VIRTUAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Link to website
The Virtual Development Center is a real university-based program where students and faculty partner with local community women to develop appropriate technology solutions based on their needs. The center is a collaboration of a network made up of nine colleges and universities that allures technical and non-technical women.
GRACE HOPPER CELEBRATION
Link to website
The Grace Hopper Celebration is the largest technical conference for women in computing that, results in networking and mentoring proposals for junior women and increased visibility for the women in computing contributions. This is the chance for top researchers to present their work while other special sessions focus more on the role of women in today’s technology fields. There has been four Grace Hopper Celebration conferences held in places such as Washington D.C., San Jose CA and Cape Cod MA. The participation in the conferences is ever growing with more women becoming involved to make a difference. In 2002, the GHC conference was the largest held with over 600 women, 366 students supported the conference 160 of them received institute scholarships.
ENIOR WOMEN’S SUMMIT
Link to website
This is a bi-annual event where a large group of women who have a major influence on the world of computing. During this event these women share their ideas and thoughts on how today’s technology can influence the social issues in today’s society.
GIRL GEEKS
Link to website
Girl Geeks. Org is a resource provided by the non-profit organization BAVC.org. BAVC is dedicated to making technology resources available to everyone but focusing more on the underserved parts of the population. As part of BAVC, the main focus of girlgeeks.org is the development of technology careers for women. Surfing the website is a learning experience. There are many different factors and sections to discover new things. There are different educational information to read; such as learning about wireless LAN, there is information on how to become Cisco, Linux certified also how to choose the right certification to fit career goals. Different sections of the website is focused on a specific area such as education, technology, careers and business. The online forum is a great source of information. The forum is broken down into different categories of which there are very current postings. This website is definitely book marking material.
DIGITAL SISTERS
Link to website
Digital Sisters or DS inc. is a non-profit organization created to promote and support technology education and enlightenment for girls and women of color. The program designed by this company is meant to first focus on individual goals, talents, abilities and interests, afterwards it is meant to explore the opportunities open to each individual in the technology field of study and career. All the programs are designed around technology education in order to help young women develop skills, assist in personal growth and enhance learning, most importantly build self-esteem.
There are several broken links on this web site!!!!
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
Link to website
The American Association of University women ( AAUW ) was created in 1881 to promote education equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change. The AAUW is made up of three corporations: The Association which promotes education and equality; The AAUW educational foundation which is the world’s largest source of funding exclusively for graduate women; and last is the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund whose the main focus is sex discrimination in higher education.
According to the new report “Tech-Savvy:Educating Girls in the New computer Age� published by the AAUW, violent electronic games and dull programming courses turn away the majority of female IT students.
Broader issues to consider with regard to gender and technology, among them are:
CENTER OF WOMEN AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Link to website
The Center for Women and Information Technology was established in July 1998 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The center seeks to address problems such as the lack of acknowledgment of women as developers of Information Technology. the center also addresses the issue that women are often misguided and misunderstood with their experiences as IT users. The Center for Women and Information Technology mission has four important goals:
( source:http://www.umbc.edu/cwit/cwitscholars.html )
The google 2004 Anita Borg Scholarship
Link to website
Google is offering an Anita Borg scholarship to two female students in the computer sciences during 2004-05 academic year. One scholarship is for an undergraduate full-time student entering her senior year in 2004 and majoring in a computer related field. The second, and masters level scholarship is offered to a full-time female student in her first year at a masters level. The applications deadline is Friday, January 30, 2004.
Dr. Anita Borg 1949-2003, devoted most of her adult life to breaking down the barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Anita received her Ph. D. in computer science from New York University. She started an email list called systers consisting of 3000 members from all over the world. She co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in computing Conference; she also founded the Institute for women and Technology. In 1999 President Clinton appointed Anita to the commission on the advancement of women and minorities in Technology. Anita also received the Heinz Award in 2002 for Technology, the Economy and Employment.