Women in Technology

As I ponder my existence as a woman in the high tech industry, it is encouraging to see a few signs of progress. A guy I work with says that his college-age daughter, after a full circle exploration of everything from aerodynamics to veterinary medicine, has decided to become a software developer, and is very excited about it, doing quite well in her C++ class so far. In our conversation, I mentioned the fact that Frances Allen (check out her ideas on mentoring, networking and problem solving here) had in 2006 become the very first woman to win the Turing Award since its inception in 1966. See her picture at right - doesn't she look like she'd be interesting to know?

I learned about her by reading a blog entry by Joyce Carpenter of ComputerWorld, entitled “They took anyone…even women” - a quote from the late John Backus describing the formation of the IBM team that created Fortran.

It is still a challenge being a woman in high tech. I often notice even in this day and age, especially when I am traveling on business, that I am the only woman in the conference room, or one of very few. My approach to resolving problems is a different than many (although not all) of my male co-workers, and I know this can perplex them. I am more collaborative, more interested in sharing information, perhaps more willing to listen to both sides of an issue before taking a strong stand. (It would be interesting to see if my co-workers really agree with these self-observations – you never know how you are really coming across). Is this because I am female, or just my personality?

My father was always urging me in my teens and early career days to be tougher, stronger, more assertive. And over the years, I have done this in order to survive. What has been the cost? Do people still share their true thoughts with me as much, or do they hold back to avoid what to them feels like an argument (and to me feels like a spirited discussion)? These days, do I talk too much and listen too little? Food for thought.

Spring

We’ve had marvelous spring-like weather all weekend. We have a single daffodil in our back yard, and I am most grateful for it. It seems like it’s been a long, cold lonely winter. No, wait. That sounds familiar.

There are purple crocuses in the front yard, too. I know that we are not finished with snowy weather, but it is a pleasure to feel the warm sun and see the early flowers.

At work there is a fundraiser to raise money to fight cancer called Daffodil Days where we all buy bunches of daffodils (and extras to donate to hospital patients), and they are all delivered one day next week. The sight of all those daffodils will soothe my soul, I know it.

I am a Warrior

I was doing my stretching exercises in front of the TV tonight and happened upon a show with Suze Orman, of all people, talking about Women and Money. She spoke passionately about how women undervalue themselves, take care of everyone else but themselves. She spoke about the eight characteristics of a wealthy woman. The characteristics included harmony and balance, generosity, happiness, wisdom, among others. The third characteristic she discussed was courage.

She talked about how she summons courage herself when times get tough—emphasizing that taking action is what helps one find courage. She says to herself: “You are a warrior and you are not to turn your back on the battlefield.”

That struck a chord with me; I think I say something similar to myself at times to muster the courage to speak up, object, recommend a different way, confront a bully, and more.

I am a warrior and I will not turn my back on the battlefield.

Full Flight to Denver

Do not fly into California via the San Jose airport again if you can possibly help it.

I thought the flight times were a little more convenient, and the cost was a little lower. And it wasn’t too bad flying into San Jose from Denver. But the dinky United gates in San Jose on my return trip were extraordinarily crowded, and boarding the airplane involved climbing stairs up to the airplane door lugging my beloved computer.

The flight was delayed and there were too many stressed out people waiting already in the small gate area, so it was literally a case where there was no room to breathe and no place to put myself that wasn’t somehow in somebody else’s way.

“Oh my Grace I’ve got no hiding place…” Paul Simon

Center seats both to and from my destination didn’t help matters. It is interesting how many airline passengers view both armrests as undeniably theirs. When you end up in a center seat between two big guys, this can be problematic.

After a long but reasonably productive week in Dublin, I just wanted to get home last night, and it was harder than it had to be. But the pleasure of eating the tasty beef stew Mark had cooked to welcome me home and of sleeping in my own comfortable bed again made up for it.

One is the Loneliest Number

One is the loneliest number that you’ll every do.
Two can be as bad as one,
it’s the loneliest number since the number one.

Harry Nilsson/Three Dog Night

It is amazing how you can be lonely in a crowd, lonely when surrounded by people that you talk to every day. The missing element is the connection, the intimacy of being able to share your innermost thoughts with somebody else and know that they understand and care. I was reminded of this recently by someone I love very much.

On my journey, I have to do a better job of remembering just to listen, and connect, and not always try to fix things.