7 ms·

So, if I was at a shop with a large recruiting budget trying hard to land new talent, and I was also specifically interested in fostering an environment the enc

So, if I was at a shop with a large recruiting budget trying hard to land new talent, and I was also specifically interested in fostering an environment the encouraged and promoted women in our industry.. I'd seriously consider writing a check for 10k and doubling the contribution today. Any takers?

jmduke 14y ago
As a rational male programmer, I'd be quite impressed by such a move. Beyond the important social message that such an act fosters, it's just smart. Good companies want to hire good people. Great female programmers are in (relatively to male) low demand and a smart company would avail themselves of that.
- kawsper 14y ago
  > Great female programmers are in (relatively to male) low demand Why do you think that?
  - moistgorilla 14y ago
    I think he meant low supply
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
  - jmduke 14y ago
    I completely agree, which is why I qualified it with 'relative to male programmers'. (I'm not saying that great female programmers shouldn't be in demand.)
kmfrk 14y ago
I'm surprised someone from a high-profile company has yet to come out of the blue and drop a five- or even six-figure amount. At least someone like Sheryl Sandberg. Maybe they should expand their reach and hit up the Rolodex? I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen a bigger reaction.
ericabiz 14y ago
I think this is great, and I'd like to add: If you are cash-poor, as many startups are, there may be other ways to contribute as well. I'm the CEO of a startup here in Austin that uses Python. A couple weeks ago, another post here on HN led me to PyLadies, where I sought out the local Austin chapter. Turns out Barbara (mentioned in the article) runs the PyLadies Austin group. I noticed one of their weekend workshops didn't have a space listed yet. Since I run a coworking space here in Austin (http://opportunityspace.com http://opportunityspace.com), I emailed Barbara and asked if she wanted to use our space for a meetup. She emailed back, super excited, and we're now hosting their Intro to Python workshop on April 6. (It's free for women in Austin who want to learn Python; RSVP here: http://www.meetup.com/PyLadies-ATX/events/99059532/ http://www.meetup.com/PyLadies-ATX/events/99059532/) There are many ways you can help and take the initiative. More smart coders benefit us all in this industry. Even if you don't have a whole lot of cash, I urge you to reach out to your local PyLadies chapter and see how you can help. Their website and chapter list is here: http://www.pyladies.com/ http://www.pyladies.com/
- bshaurette 14y ago
  Thanks for promoting the workshop Erica! And thank you, again, for helping us out with the location. This class is going to be a huge success thanks to your generosity.
pifflesnort 14y ago
Let's pretend I'm at that shop with a large recruiting budget, and a $10k check is only an e-mail to accounting away. I also just watched a massive blow-up and bad press around Adria Richards, PyCon, and this issue in general. I'm naturally wary of my company being connected with or supporting these virulently negative forms of misogyny and feminism of which the entire donglegate episode seemed to spring. What would $10k would be funding, and the good press that would come of that? Reading http://www.pyladies.com/ http://www.pyladies.com/, they appear to put on study groups and other events, but their "Code of Conduct" is higher billed than an explanation of what PyLadies actually does with funding.
- pekk 14y ago
  Do you know anything about PyLadies? What led you to believe that PyLadies is about "virulent feminism" or is masterminding provocations?
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]
  - stefantalpalaru 14y ago
    Maybe he knows what Lynn Root did at last year's EuroPython[1][2] or how she complains about being only asked to talk about women issues[3] but when she got a spot in the lightning talk section she canceled it blaming the last day's "drama"[4]. [1] http://www.roguelynn.com/words/really/ http://www.roguelynn.com/words/really/ [2] http://www.roguelynn.com/words/a-memorable-europython-for-the-better/ http://www.roguelynn.com/words/a-memorable-europython-for-th... [3] http://www.roguelynn.com/words/my-un-talk-at-djangocon/ http://www.roguelynn.com/words/my-un-talk-at-djangocon/ [4] https://twitter.com/roguelynn/status/221217138688536577 https://twitter.com/roguelynn/status/221217138688536577
    - pekk 14y ago
      I don't know Lynn Root, but I don't see anything here for any mature man to be upset about. If Lynn Root complains or does or doesn't give a lightning talk (on the basis of her feeling bad that day, or not having prepared or whatever) that might be some kind of faux pas but honestly, who gives a shit. People cancel lightning talks. It harms nobody. It certainly doesn't make everyone involved with PyLadies (e.g. Hynek Schlawack) into an Adria Richards feminist monster ruining your life. Tweet from your first link: "Sucked the marrow out of my osso bucco at dinner at #EuroPython. The waiter told me that I "will have very good orgasm." #Pyladies?" Please explain why it is not offensive for this guy to call upon PyLadies for an orgasm...
niggler 14y ago
If you are really serious, you would contribute to or set up a grant program like Etsy did with Hacker School: http://www.etsy.com/hacker-grants http://www.etsy.com/hacker-grants

jmduke 14y ago

As a rational male programmer, I'd be quite impressed by such a move. Beyond the important social message that such an act fosters, it's just smart. Good companies want to hire good people. Great female programmers are in (relatively to male) low demand and a smart company would avail themselves of that.

kawsper 14y ago
> Great female programmers are in (relatively to male) low demand Why do you think that?
- moistgorilla 14y ago
  I think he meant low supply
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
- jmduke 14y ago
  I completely agree, which is why I qualified it with 'relative to male programmers'. (I'm not saying that great female programmers shouldn't be in demand.)

kmfrk 14y ago

I'm surprised someone from a high-profile company has yet to come out of the blue and drop a five- or even six-figure amount. At least someone like Sheryl Sandberg. Maybe they should expand their reach and hit up the Rolodex? I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen a bigger reaction.

ericabiz 14y ago

I think this is great, and I'd like to add: If you are cash-poor, as many startups are, there may be other ways to contribute as well. I'm the CEO of a startup here in Austin that uses Python. A couple weeks ago, another post here on HN led me to PyLadies, where I sought out the local Austin chapter. Turns out Barbara (mentioned in the article) runs the PyLadies Austin group. I noticed one of their weekend workshops didn't have a space listed yet. Since I run a coworking space here in Austin (http://opportunityspace.com http://opportunityspace.com), I emailed Barbara and asked if she wanted to use our space for a meetup. She emailed back, super excited, and we're now hosting their Intro to Python workshop on April 6. (It's free for women in Austin who want to learn Python; RSVP here: http://www.meetup.com/PyLadies-ATX/events/99059532/ http://www.meetup.com/PyLadies-ATX/events/99059532/) There are many ways you can help and take the initiative. More smart coders benefit us all in this industry. Even if you don't have a whole lot of cash, I urge you to reach out to your local PyLadies chapter and see how you can help. Their website and chapter list is here: http://www.pyladies.com/ http://www.pyladies.com/

bshaurette 14y ago
Thanks for promoting the workshop Erica! And thank you, again, for helping us out with the location. This class is going to be a huge success thanks to your generosity.

pifflesnort 14y ago

Let's pretend I'm at that shop with a large recruiting budget, and a $10k check is only an e-mail to accounting away. I also just watched a massive blow-up and bad press around Adria Richards, PyCon, and this issue in general. I'm naturally wary of my company being connected with or supporting these virulently negative forms of misogyny and feminism of which the entire donglegate episode seemed to spring. What would $10k would be funding, and the good press that would come of that? Reading http://www.pyladies.com/ http://www.pyladies.com/, they appear to put on study groups and other events, but their "Code of Conduct" is higher billed than an explanation of what PyLadies actually does with funding.

pekk 14y ago
Do you know anything about PyLadies? What led you to believe that PyLadies is about "virulent feminism" or is masterminding provocations?
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
- stefantalpalaru 14y ago
  Maybe he knows what Lynn Root did at last year's EuroPython[1][2] or how she complains about being only asked to talk about women issues[3] but when she got a spot in the lightning talk section she canceled it blaming the last day's "drama"[4]. [1] http://www.roguelynn.com/words/really/ http://www.roguelynn.com/words/really/ [2] http://www.roguelynn.com/words/a-memorable-europython-for-the-better/ http://www.roguelynn.com/words/a-memorable-europython-for-th... [3] http://www.roguelynn.com/words/my-un-talk-at-djangocon/ http://www.roguelynn.com/words/my-un-talk-at-djangocon/ [4] https://twitter.com/roguelynn/status/221217138688536577 https://twitter.com/roguelynn/status/221217138688536577
  - pekk 14y ago
    I don't know Lynn Root, but I don't see anything here for any mature man to be upset about. If Lynn Root complains or does or doesn't give a lightning talk (on the basis of her feeling bad that day, or not having prepared or whatever) that might be some kind of faux pas but honestly, who gives a shit. People cancel lightning talks. It harms nobody. It certainly doesn't make everyone involved with PyLadies (e.g. Hynek Schlawack) into an Adria Richards feminist monster ruining your life. Tweet from your first link: "Sucked the marrow out of my osso bucco at dinner at #EuroPython. The waiter told me that I "will have very good orgasm." #Pyladies?" Please explain why it is not offensive for this guy to call upon PyLadies for an orgasm...

niggler 14y ago

If you are really serious, you would contribute to or set up a grant program like Etsy did with Hacker School: http://www.etsy.com/hacker-grants http://www.etsy.com/hacker-grants