This question has been asked so many times, on so many different programming forums. The only reason this is getting any traction is "MIT female"... ugh. EDIT:

This question has been asked so many times, on so many different programming forums. The only reason this is getting any traction is "MIT female"... ugh. EDIT: I should add that we are definitely a welcoming bunch, but I'd try starting over with a new username that doesn't loudly announce your gender. It's not the fact that you're female, it's the fact that you're announcing you're female, as if to imply that you should be treated differently because of it. Apologies if this sounds harsh.