I feel like throughout September I found myself repeating a conversation with many different people-
Coworker/Friend/Professor asks “Why are you leaving me for a week?!”
Then I say, “Grace Hopper. Specifically? The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing.”
This was usually met by confused looks and questions. What does a person do at such an event? Is it only for women? Why am I going?
The answer to the last one is easy. At the Media Convergence Lab, where I work, we are split evenly between genders. Back in the Spring, it was decided that all five of us, plus our manager/mother hen Eileen would be attending. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect. But I’m happy to report that the trip was amazing. Here’s a brief rundown:
So many technical women in one place! I was expecting perhaps 200 people to be there. Actual numbers were more like 1600! Nicely done. Literally, women were everywhere. And hey, they were normal looking too! I truly believe that seeing so many women as professors, grad students and professionals is inspiring to the younger students, and will hopefully keep them in the field. And there were a few guys there too.
Arizona is dry and full of cactii. Not exactly a surprise, but I’m used to oceans, not deserts. It’s strange to get out of the shower and be dry before you get you grab your towel! Unfortunately I became very dehydrated and spent a fair amount of time sick.
Session topics were wide, not deep. A wise choice given the diverse group in attendance, and a great way for undergrads to experience many fields while they are choosing what they want to focus on.
Serious corporation support. I was hoping to leave with a slew of pens, but instead I left with at least 30 little practical and attractive trinkets. And THANK YOU for making free shirts that look flattering! Wow, what a concept!
Volunteering was work AND fun? Really! No, really! I had a great time greeting people and helping Google with the big party. It forced me to talk and meet with people instead of wandering around daydreaming about my next paper.
So what’s next for me? Paper deadlines and a demo of my therapy work at ISMAR. I’ll try to be better about working out my research ideas here.
Miko
