On April 25, the TECHNOLOchicas came together with tech professionals, non-profit partners, and local students for a day of panel discussions, inspiring conversations, and hands-on learning activities at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California for the official launch of TECHNOLOchicas 2.0!
Remarks on the importance of educating young girls about the opportunities and benefits of a career in technology, the positive impact of a diverse technical workforce on the society at large, and campaign highlights were provided by Televisa Foundation Executive Director Alejandro Villanueva; Actress, Director, Activist, and Philanthropist Eva Longoria; Univision Executive Vice President of Government and Corporate Affairs Jessica Herrera-Flanigan; and YouTube Manager of International Originals Margie Moreno.
“Someone once told me, if you can see it, you can be it. Now, young Latinas can see it — the next generation of Latinas, the next young tech innovator,” said Margie.
Two panels followed:
The industry panel, “Latinas in STEM: Celebrating Their Unique Contributions and Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation of Innovators,” was moderated by Eva and included NCWIT Communications Director Adriane Bradberry, mitú Vice President of Public Affairs Lucy Flores, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Associate Division Leader of Global Security Computing Applications Marisol Gamboa, Skillz Vice President of Engineering Miriam Aguirre, Iridescent Founder and CEO Tara Chklovski, and Qualcomm Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Vicki Mealer-Burke as panelists.
The TECHNOLOchicas panel, moderated by NCWIT Program Manager Jannie Fernandez, followed with the 2.0 ambassadors: Amy Villaseñor, Alma Stephanie Tapia, Ana Hernandez, Andrea Chaves, Beatris Mendez Gandica, Diana Trujillo, Karina Canales, Madelyn Tavárez, Susana Gomez-Burgos, and Susana Tapia. The TECHNOLOChicas also led a student-only afternoon, exploring computing activities with students from Third Street Community Center in San Jose, California.
Watch a recap of the day, and check out some of the best photos.
In 2015, you were introduced to five TECHNOLOChicas who shared their stories and their journey. Now, a new chapter has begun with TECHNOLOchicas 2.0, and the legacy continues with ten technical Latinas from across the country who serve as the campaign’s ambassadors. https://technolochicas.org/camp/VideoCamp
Ask a TECHNOLOchica to make an appearance, or show a screening of TECHNOLOchicas videos for young Latinas at schools or community organizations. Contact technolochicas@ncwit.org to start planning!
Know Latinas in technology who could be profiled as a TECHNOLOchica? Share this application form with them: http://bit.ly/1OVS2lw.
