Inspired To Make A Difference: Celebrating International Women's Day 2024 with (Woman Techmakers)

This is not just another day for women. Still, it is a day that is internationally recognized to support supporters and to encourage worldwide engagement and collective action in advancing women’s equality. Women like Ada Lovelace and Saray Khumalo have inspired me to start making a difference. Google Developer Group, Women Techmakers, and BBD hosted a lovely event in honor of this day, and I had the privilege to attend the event. Let me take you on the adventure of how this event has inspired me to make a difference as a woman in tech.

First What is Google Developer Group? A Google Developer Group (GDG) is a vibrant community of developers who share a passion for Google’s developer technology. Here are some key points about GDGs:

• Global Network: GDGs exist in over 1,000 chapters across 140 countries. These local communities serve as hubs where developers of all levels and backgrounds can connect and collaborate.

• Inclusive Environment: GDGs welcome everyone, including those with unique backgrounds and from various companies and industries. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, you’ll find a supportive community.

• Activities and Learning: GDGs organize a variety of activities, including meetups, workshops, training sessions, and talks. These events cover technical topics related to web development, mobile apps, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and more.

• Organizers: Passionate community leaders called GDG organizers to play a crucial role. They plan and host regular meetup events, bringing together local technologists to learn, share knowledge, and connect.

• Career Growth: By participating in GDG events, developers can apply their knowledge, build great products, and advance their skills and careers. It’s also an opportunity to give back to the community by helping others learn.

"Solving big problems is easier than solving little problems" Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google.

Problem-solving starts by taking a learning journey that you will forever take that is why we have companies like BBD that encourage growth. But wait What is BBD? BBD is a leading software development company, that offers an exciting graduate program that bridges the gap between what you’ve learned at university or in other programs and what you need to flourish in the IT industry.

Now that you know a little about BBD let me also give you knowledge about the Google Women Techmakers program. Google’s Women Techmakers Program is a global initiative that celebrates and empowers women in technology. It was launched by Google in 2012, under the leadership of former Google Vice President Megan Smith.

Here are some key aspects of the Women Techmakers program:

• Women Techmakers Ambassadors: These individuals lead, network, learn, and shine as ambassadors. They organize events, provide access to curated resources, and empower other women in their tech careers. Since 2013, Women Techmakers Ambassadors have held thousands of global tech events, inspiring and connecting women in the field2.

• Community Support: Women Techmakers provides visibility, community, and resources for women in technology. It’s a platform where women can connect, learn, and share experiences.

• Global Reach: The program spans across 52 countries, with over 1,100 Ambassadors, 605 events, and 367 keynotes. It’s a testament to the impact of women supporting each other in tech.

• Inspiring Stories: Women Techmakers feature stories from its community members. For instance:

• Nhasala Joshi, a Women Techmakers Ambassador in Kathmandu, co-founded Women Leaders in Technology in Nepal. She advocates for women’s rights in the workplace and emphasizes the need for strong women mentors in technology.

• A.M. Darke, a Black woman in tech, works on better representation in gaming.

• Hanane Ait Dabel, another Women Techmakers Ambassador, contributes to the tech community.

Now that you know the companies that hosted an event that descends the vibrant of Google Cloud and AI/ML, let me share the celebration of the achievements of women in technology in honor of the topic Impact the Future.

At the event, we were graced with Robyn Knowles who runs the Ikusasa Lethu programme for the St Mary’s Foundation. She was mainly talking about “Investing in our Future: The Roles of Technology and Education in the Lives of our Impoverished Youth”. I never realized how much impact technology has on our education system, Robyn has opened my eyes to that as an impoverished youth, I can create educational system tools that can help communities that are underdeveloped to learn more through technology but I realized that from her speech most of us lack funds, knowledge, and skills to help build and create educational tools that can help programs like Ikusasa Lethu grow. Roby not only opened my eyes but also shared a quote by Caster Semenya “You don’t get what you want, you get what you work for.” this quote tells me that as a woman in tech if I want to make a difference I can work hand in hand with women like Roby and build tools that can grow our education system through technology.

The sky is the limit, that is where we were braced with the presence of Kamogelo Lesabe a Technical Analyst, a Strategist, and a Powerhouse, she worked with various business brands in Corporate SA and male counterparts. Kamogelo was talking about “Using Automation & AI to tip the 80/20 rule”. This was an interesting topic for me because I did not have much knowledge about AI but girl let me tell you Kamogelo made me realize that AI is a helping tool that increases productivity both for business and engineers. She highlighted how 80 percent of the time can be saved to increase productivity and 20 percent of the time to market the products that we are building. Automation is not here to replace us but it is here to increase our productivity and she highlighted that it is no longer an “IF, ELSE” statement but it is a “DO, WHILE” statement, which simply means while AI is doing 80 percent of the work you are doing 20 percent of the work which increases productivity.

Every good and bad thing has to come to an end sadly but we ended the event on a high note with our last speaker for the day Phyllis Madaba. Phyllis is a strong engineering professional currently working in the Cloud Computing space with a focus on implementing solutions on AWS and Azure. She was mainly talking about “Breaking Barriers - Becoming Tech Trailblazers”. If walls had ears they would hear Phyllis as I did, she just painted a bold picture of saying “No one is coming to save you", meaning come high nor low you are on your own. This statement states that if you do not take the first step no one is going to take that first step for you. Break the Barriers in the Tech space by forcing yourself to take the first step which is to educate yourself and never shy away from asking questions. Phyllis emphasized a lot about taking the first step but most of all she made us aware that even after taking the first step do not give up, rise and do something with the stepping stone to success and it is your fundamental value to rise and shine.

At the end of the event, I learned a lot about how women can change the tech exploration for both perished and non perished youth and it is the world for knowledge and making a difference. Start thinking about AI as an assistant, not a replacement. “If you are not happy where you are move” by Phyllis Madaba, this quote taught me that if I do not see the seven colors of the rainbow then let me create my own not only for me but for the future women coming after me.

Leaving you with one question How are you Impacting the Future?