How Women in Technology Are Leading Us into the Future

How Women in Technology Are Leading Us into the Future

In honor of Women’s History Month, we think the amazing women in technology deserve some special recognition.

March is the time to salute the women, past and present, who have pushed past the glass ceiling to make enduring progress and advance their causes. As a woman-owned company, IBC is proud of our innovativeness and success in a field that remains largely male-dominated. We’re also appreciative of the smart, talented women who are behind the creation of the advanced devices, apps, gadgets, and services that are used every day. While they often take a back seat in the annals of tech history, women have forged new paths and shaped modern life as we know it.

In this article, we will take a look at how women in technology have been influential in American life despite some daunting obstacles and how they are poised to lead the charge in the future.

Hats off to influential female leaders.
Here’s a small sampling of the many women who were early pioneers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), along with several who are currently blazing new trails:

  • Ada Lovelace was a 19th-century English mathematician. An associate of Charles Babbage, for whose prototype of a digital computer she created a program, Lovelace is known as the first computer programmer.
  • Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who calculated and analyzed the flight paths of many spacecrafts during her more than three decades with the U.S. space program. Her work helped send astronauts to the Moon.
  • Allie K. Miller is the global head of machine learning business development for startups and venture capital at Amazon.
  • Avril Haines is the first woman to lead the U.S. Intelligence Community.
  • Geeta Nayyar is a recognized leader in healthcare information technology.
  • Reshma Saujani is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code.

While great strides have been made, we’re just getting started.

As we pause to recognize their contributions, it’s important to remember much needs to be done to increase the representation and equality of women in STEM fields. Consider these revealing facts:

How Women in Technology Are Leading Us into the Future
  • Although they comprise just 35% of the STEM workforce in America, women account for more than 50% of the nation’s population, according to the National Science Foundation.
  • Women are particularly underrepresented in engineering and computer sciences, earning less than one-quarter of all bachelor’s degrees in engineering (22%) and computer science (19%) last year.
  • Women’s wages are consistently lower than men’s in STEM. In 2021, men in science and engineering made $100,000 on average compared to $76,000 for women.
  • According to a Pew Research Center report, 50% of women said they had experienced gender discrimination at work, while only 19% of men said the same.

In today’s tech-driven world, women have a unique opportunity.  

Technology is at the heart of everything these days. It touches virtually every transaction, experience, and process. As the world becomes ever more reliant on these advancements, the industry has both a significant opportunity and a responsibility to foster a new employment landscape that embraces diversity and equity.

Here’s how women in tech are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation:

  • Unleashing advantageous female leadership skills

Studies by Pew Research Center have shown that key leadership traits like self-awareness, humility, and emotional intelligence are more likely to be found in women than men. The tech industry should embrace the rich possibilities that can result from harnessing these skills and make every effort to bolster the influence of women in leadership roles.

  • Removing outmoded barriers

A long-standing challenge for women in the workplace is dated policies that often require them to sacrifice their personal lives if they advance in their careers. How can the tech industry make it more feasible and attractive for women to remain in the workforce? The tech sector is well-positioned to find creative solutions and lead the charge. For instance, paid leave and leave-sharing programs can help employees find balance when starting families. Research has revealed the long-term economic benefit of paid family leave, including a 20% reduction in the number of women leaving their jobs after welcoming a child. The large gender pay gap that continues to exist within the tech industry must also be eliminated.

  • Envisioning an inclusive future

Female tech leaders must champion the valuable skills and expertise that women bring to the table. The number of women in tech communities and events is on the rise. The industry is moving in the right direction and women need to lead the charge in demanding real change.  

Here’s to the amazing women in technology who are advancing innovation and paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. IBC is on board and we’re fully committed to building a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable tech workforce.

If you’re ready to move your organization forward, our savvy tech experts are here to help. Please contact us to get started. 

About IBC: At IBC, we have a deep understanding of the critical business needs and processes specific to associations, non-profits, and unions. We ‘get’ your culture, your goals, and what drives you, too. Focused exclusively on and dedicated to delivering the most effective AMSLMS, and Cloud Financial Software for our clients, we’re well-versed in identifying and applying the integration techniques that will save you time and money. Since 2001, our cutting-edge products, unparalleled responsiveness, and award-winning services have helped organizations like yours increase their operational and financial performance by leveraging best practices and proven solutions. For more information about IBC, please visit the website at www.ibconcepts.com or call 443.603.0215.

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