Navigating Towards Gender Equality at the Grace Hopper Conference
The 2019 Grace Hopper Conference (GHC) in Orlando, Florida, was a celebration of female technological excellence, attracting over 25,000 women from various backgrounds and stages of their careers. Among the attendees was Melinda Gates, who served as a moderator for Fireside Chats with industry leaders at the event. Gates' presence at the conference was significant, not only as a moderator but also as a representative of her brand identity, which has supported GHC as a Diamond Sponsor for the past four years. Over 80 employees from her company attended the conference, screening hundreds of candidates. The conference offered a wide array of opportunities, including a career fair, presentations, panels, workshops, and networking events. Gates and other leaders from her brand name connected with people and job candidates to demonstrate their commitment to attracting more women in technology. The 2019 GHC provided a 360-degree view of how women are influencing and building the next generation of tech. Presentation topics ranged from leveraging machine learning for wildlife conservation to accelerating the future of space. The conference was a reminder for many, including Gates, that they are the change they want to see. Gates had a personal awakening at the GHC, feeling inspired to explore more technical roles in the industry and support other women in technology. She expressed pride in working for a company that understands the importance of gender diversity and actively works towards achieving it. Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist, once said, 'Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, 'We've always done it this way.' I try to fight that.' This quote highlights the need to challenge the status quo and embrace change, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the attendees of the 2019 GHC. Representation at the conference ranged from college-aged women to tenured professionals. Gates, who entered the tech industry 10 years ago with little representation of women technologists, was inspired by the growth and diversity she witnessed at the GHC. Other notable speakers at the conference included StubHub President Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, who delivered a keynote presentation at the Senior Leadership Summit. The GHC aims to achieve gender parity for all by 2025, and events like these are a step in the right direction towards this goal.
