But my code ain’t pink: Navigating the IT Landscape as a Woman

Imagine walking into a room full of people where none of the attendees look like you. It makes you feel like you don’t fit in, like you don’t belong. It makes others look at you like you don’t belong. It’s not because you’re unqualified or unfamiliar, but because of something as fundamental as your gender or color. This is the reality for many women in tech—a field where they make up just 15% of software developers (Stack Overflow, 2023). As a woman navigating this industry, I’ve encountered both blatant barriers and subtle biases. But I’ve also seen how small shifts in mindset and behavior can create significant change.

In this inspiring talk, I’ll share my personal journey as a woman in IT, blending humor, hard truths, and hope. I'll share personal anecdotes—from my transition as a historian to fulltime webdeveloper, my first year at DICTU as a the only female Drupal developer while balancing my role as a mother of two, then three, now four kids, and my professional growth in the Drupal community. Along the way, we’ll tackle stereotypes, explore data-driven insights, and reflect on how male allies can make a meaningful difference. Expect candor, a few surprising anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on why diversity matters—not just for women, but for the entire tech community.