More Girls – Creating a Community of Diversity

More GirlsMore Girls
Creating a CommunityCreating a Community
of Diversityof Diversity
imacatimacat
imacat@mail.imacat.idv.twimacat@mail.imacat.idv.tw
2013/8/42013/8/4

““More Girls – Creating a Community of Diversity” is created byMore Girls – Creating a Community of Diversity” is created by imacat (Yang Shih-Ching)imacat (Yang Shih-Ching),,
and licensed under aand licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported LicenseCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License..

imacatimacat
• A member of Women in Free and Open
Source Software in Taiwan
• A member of PyLadies Taiwan
• A graduate student from National Taiwan
Normal University

The Opening StoryThe Opening Story

I submitted 2 talks in COSCUP 2013,I submitted 2 talks in COSCUP 2013,
and received 2 VIP tickets.and received 2 VIP tickets.

But giving the COSCUP VIP ticket awayBut giving the COSCUP VIP ticket away
is a painful experience for meis a painful experience for me
every year.every year.

I would like everyone in WoFOSS to come,I would like everyone in WoFOSS to come,
but I have only one VIP ticket each year.but I have only one VIP ticket each year.

This year I have 2 VIP tickets,This year I have 2 VIP tickets,
but that does not help at all.but that does not help at all.

There are several peopleThere are several people
that tried and failedthat tried and failed
to get the COSCUP ticket.to get the COSCUP ticket.

I found that A is one of them, too.I found that A is one of them, too.
She works very hard now and then,She works very hard now and then,
and she helps WoFOSS a lot.and she helps WoFOSS a lot.

So I contacted A,So I contacted A,
and gave her one of my VIP tickets.and gave her one of my VIP tickets.

But she is very shy.But she is very shy.
She did not want to get it for free.She did not want to get it for free.

So I said:So I said:
““Well, then you can treat it like a bet.”Well, then you can treat it like a bet.”

I know she worked hardI know she worked hard
for her master degree, too.for her master degree, too.
But she was distracted seriouslyBut she was distracted seriously
by her day work.by her day work.

I said:I said:
““You can treat it like a bet.You can treat it like a bet.
The COSCUP personal sponsorship ticketThe COSCUP personal sponsorship ticket
costs NTD 5,000.costs NTD 5,000.
You can treat it like a bet of NTD 5,000.”You can treat it like a bet of NTD 5,000.”

““If you successfully graduate in this year,If you successfully graduate in this year,
you win.you win.
You won this COSCUP ticket by yourself.”You won this COSCUP ticket by yourself.”

““On the other way,On the other way,
if you fail to graduate in this year, you lose.if you fail to graduate in this year, you lose.
You have to repay me NTD 5,000.You have to repay me NTD 5,000.
This would become the fundThis would become the fund
to sponsor another attendant next year.”to sponsor another attendant next year.”

This was the beginning.This was the beginning.

I found that this idea really cool:I found that this idea really cool:
To sponsor aTo sponsor a dreamdream..

So, the next day, I posted it to bothSo, the next day, I posted it to both
the WoFOSS and PyLadies Taiwanthe WoFOSS and PyLadies Taiwan
mailing lists.mailing lists.

““I have one spare VIP ticket.I have one spare VIP ticket.
Everyone is free to take itEveryone is free to take it
as long as you place a betas long as you place a bet
on your personal goal of the year.on your personal goal of the year.
If you accomplish your goalIf you accomplish your goal
in this year, you won this ticket.in this year, you won this ticket.
If you fail your goal, you lose.If you fail your goal, you lose.
You have to repay me NTD 5,000You have to repay me NTD 5,000
to sponsor another attendant next year.”to sponsor another attendant next year.”

That is cool, isn’t it?That is cool, isn’t it?
To sponsor a dream.To sponsor a dream.
I soon receive another VIP ticketI soon receive another VIP ticket
from Pockey Lam in Beijing,from Pockey Lam in Beijing,
to sponsor another attendant.to sponsor another attendant.

In the end we have sponsoredIn the end we have sponsored
three attendants.three attendants.
Three dreams.Three dreams.

The first one is A, from WoFOSS.The first one is A, from WoFOSS.
A wants to get her master degreeA wants to get her master degree
in this year.in this year.

The second one is B, from WoFOSS, too.The second one is B, from WoFOSS, too.
B is a front-end designer and lecturer.B is a front-end designer and lecturer.
She wanted to learn RWD for several years.She wanted to learn RWD for several years.
She placed a bet to learn RWD in this year.She placed a bet to learn RWD in this year.

The third one is C, from PyLadies Taiwan.The third one is C, from PyLadies Taiwan.
But C requested to keep her goal secret.But C requested to keep her goal secret.

This is exciting!This is exciting!
Not only because we sponsored three dreams,Not only because we sponsored three dreams,
but also,but also,
because of this sponsoring project…because of this sponsoring project…

1. We discover three touching stories1. We discover three touching stories
from three amazing girls.from three amazing girls.

2. We ignited the fire in their hearts2. We ignited the fire in their hearts
and they start to move forward.and they start to move forward.

We created theWe created the participationparticipation..
And through the process ofAnd through the process of
participation creation,participation creation,
we created thewe created the meaningsmeanings..
for them, and for ourselves.for them, and for ourselves.

Isn’t it cool?Isn’t it cool?

Although there are stillAlthough there are still
problems to be solvedproblems to be solved
in this sponsoring project,in this sponsoring project,
but we still look forward to the next year.but we still look forward to the next year.

If you also think this project meaningful,If you also think this project meaningful,
if you think sponsoring girlsif you think sponsoring girls
to participate in COSCUP is cool,to participate in COSCUP is cool,
please join us!please join us!
We are collecting spare VIP ticketsWe are collecting spare VIP tickets
to sponsor more girls and more dreamsto sponsor more girls and more dreams
inside and outside WoFOSS/PyLadies Taiwan.inside and outside WoFOSS/PyLadies Taiwan.

Meaningful ParticipationMeaningful Participation

When we talk about “participation”,When we talk about “participation”,
it does not simply mean “being here”.it does not simply mean “being here”.

Otherwise, we could have hire many show girlsOtherwise, we could have hire many show girls
and say,and say,
““Hey, we have a lot of girls!”Hey, we have a lot of girls!”

No.No.
That isThat is NOTNOT what we mean by “participation”.what we mean by “participation”.

By “By “participationparticipation”,”,
We actually meanWe actually mean
““active, meaningful participationactive, meaningful participation”.”.

ByBy ParticipationParticipation We Mean …We Mean …
• Attending to and learning from the sessions

• Giving talks and sharing ideas as speakers

• Joining the discussion

• Writing codes

• Writing codes
• Contributing

• Writing codes
• Contributing
• And more …

Creating meaningsCreating meanings
in this context, here (conference)in this context, here (conference)

So ask yourself …So ask yourself …

• Why do you want more girls to be here?

• What is the difference to being a show girl?

• What is the difference to being a show girl?
• Why are you here?

And that’s what we do here.And that’s what we do here.

We …We …
• Sponsor more girls to attend to and learn from
the sessions.

We …We …
the sessions.
• Create agenda for girls to give talks and share
ideas as speakers.

We …We …
the sessions.
ideas as speakers.
• Organize girls to take over OSS projects.

We …We …
the sessions.
ideas as speakers.
• Organize girls to take over OSS projects.
• And many more …

But, for the same reason to create meanings,But, for the same reason to create meanings,
we do not …we do not …

We do not …We do not …
• Run matching activities.

We do not …We do not …
• Run matching activities.
• Play the role as show girls at the front desk.

Please do not ask usPlease do not ask us
for these activities anymore.for these activities anymore.
We are not here,We are not here,
in COSCUP and all other community events,in COSCUP and all other community events,
for that.for that.

Instead,Instead,
please help the girls around youplease help the girls around you
toto participate meaningfullyparticipate meaningfully
in COSCUP and all the community events.in COSCUP and all the community events.

It started from here …It started from here …

FJU CSIE Beauties 2013FJU CSIE Beauties 2013
輔大資工週美少女輔大資工週美少女

I cannot help but wondering …I cannot help but wondering …

I Cannot Help ButI Cannot Help But
Wondering …Wondering …
• Why do they hold this activity?

• What is the message they are delivering?

• What is the meaning they are creating?

• What is the meaning they are creating?
• What do they want the girls that are interested
in computer science to read from this activity?

Do they sending a message to girlsDo they sending a message to girls
interested in computer scienceinterested in computer science
that computer science is for girls to sell theirthat computer science is for girls to sell their
busts and butts?busts and butts?

Or do they really welcome the girlsOr do they really welcome the girls
to meaningfully study and participateto meaningfully study and participate
in computer science?in computer science?

Some Future PlansSome Future Plans

Having more girls in WoFOSSHaving more girls in WoFOSS
is not enough.is not enough.

Having more girls in WoFOSSHaving more girls in WoFOSS
brings us power and makes us strong.brings us power and makes us strong.
But we want to encourage more girlsBut we want to encourage more girls
in thein the whole FOSS communitywhole FOSS community,,
not just in WoFOSS.not just in WoFOSS.

This May,This May,
with the help from the PyCon Taiwan staff,with the help from the PyCon Taiwan staff,
although I was busy on my master thesis,although I was busy on my master thesis,
we still started PyLadies Taiwan.we still started PyLadies Taiwan.

PyLadies TaiwanPyLadies Taiwan

Because I was busy on my master thesis,Because I was busy on my master thesis,
we does not have any meeting yet.we does not have any meeting yet.
(Maybe we will start in this August.)(Maybe we will start in this August.)

Eleven girls.Eleven girls.
It is weak,It is weak,
but is still a good start.but is still a good start.

PyLadies Taiwan is the second female FOSSPyLadies Taiwan is the second female FOSS
community in Taiwan,community in Taiwan,
and the first female FOSS communityand the first female FOSS community
outside of WoFOSS in Taiwan.outside of WoFOSS in Taiwan.

And PyLadies Taiwan is just a start.And PyLadies Taiwan is just a start.

I would like to walk outside of WoFOSS,I would like to walk outside of WoFOSS,
to reach more girls,to reach more girls,
to encourage more girlsto encourage more girls
not only in WoFOSS,not only in WoFOSS,
but in every FOSS community.but in every FOSS community.

PyLadies TaiwanPyLadies Taiwan
RubyGirls TaiwanRubyGirls Taiwan
Debian Women TaiwanDebian Women Taiwan
……

Gather and encourage more girlsGather and encourage more girls
in every community,in every community,
not just in WoFOSS.not just in WoFOSS.

That’s why we need your help.That’s why we need your help.
We need help from every communityWe need help from every community
that would like to encourage more girlsthat would like to encourage more girls
with meaningful participation.with meaningful participation.

If you want to encourage more girlsIf you want to encourage more girls
with meaningful participationwith meaningful participation
in your community,in your community,
come join our force!come join our force!

More Than GirlsMore Than Girls
Creating a Community of DiversityCreating a Community of Diversity

Is there any …Is there any …

• Aboriginal people?

• Physically challenged people?

• Foreigners living in Taiwan?

• Foreigners living in Taiwan?
• Foreign workers or spouses?

You’ll be surprised how concentratedYou’ll be surprised how concentrated
the attributes of the attendants are.the attributes of the attendants are.

A healthy community needs toA healthy community needs to
include different voicesinclude different voices
from different genders, sex orientation,from different genders, sex orientation,
races, religions, etc.races, religions, etc.

We still need to be more friendlyWe still need to be more friendly
to different kind of life styles,to different kind of life styles,
genders, races, thoughts, etc.genders, races, thoughts, etc.
And to the difference itself.And to the difference itself.

The issue of diversity came to meThe issue of diversity came to me
when I was in German last year.when I was in German last year.

I tried to organize Apache Women BoFI tried to organize Apache Women BoF
in ApacheCon EU 2012.in ApacheCon EU 2012.
When the conference organizerWhen the conference organizer
Steve Holden heard about this,Steve Holden heard about this,
he asked to help.he asked to help.

Steve tried to explainSteve tried to explain
why Apache Women ceased for years,why Apache Women ceased for years,
he said,he said,
““Simply because nobody starts it.”Simply because nobody starts it.”

He then explained thatHe then explained that
he received sensitivity training before,he received sensitivity training before,
and he tried to bringand he tried to bring
the lessens in the sensitivity trainingthe lessens in the sensitivity training
into the Python Foundation,into the Python Foundation,
and how other people got used to it.and how other people got used to it.

I was wondering,I was wondering,
why isn’t there any sensitivity training courseswhy isn’t there any sensitivity training courses
here in Taiwan?here in Taiwan?

Then I rememberThen I remember
once I received a private messageonce I received a private message
from the OpenOffice forum.from the OpenOffice forum.

He was an OpenOffice.org user for years.He was an OpenOffice.org user for years.
Now OpenOffice.org was renamed toNow OpenOffice.org was renamed to
Apache OpenOffice,Apache OpenOffice,
He cannot recommend itHe cannot recommend it
to his aboriginal friends anymore,to his aboriginal friends anymore,
because “Apache” is a holy symbolbecause “Apache” is a holy symbol
in their culture.in their culture.

How do you think about it?How do you think about it?

I answered,I answered,
““I somewhat understand.I somewhat understand.
But we are sponsored by ASF now.But we are sponsored by ASF now.
(Hence the name ‘Apache’.)(Hence the name ‘Apache’.)
And ‘Apache’ is an ASF registered trademark.And ‘Apache’ is an ASF registered trademark.
If you want to resolve this issue,If you want to resolve this issue,
You have to talk to ASF legal team.You have to talk to ASF legal team.
Sorry that I can’t help.”Sorry that I can’t help.”

I may not be able to understandI may not be able to understand
the “holiness” of the name “Apache”,the “holiness” of the name “Apache”,
but their feelings are still true.but their feelings are still true.
I can still pay respect to their feelings.I can still pay respect to their feelings.

Pay respect to thingsPay respect to things
that you may not understand:that you may not understand:
Gender, culture, religion, race, etc.Gender, culture, religion, race, etc.

And we will have a communityAnd we will have a community
that is more friendly and welcomingthat is more friendly and welcoming
to everyone.to everyone.

Thank you.Thank you.
Any questions?Any questions?

More Girls – Creating a Community of Diversity

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