Technically Women

When the idea for a blog sourced and curated by women in technical careers came up, after a very successful group post in ZDNet instigated and inspired by Dennis Howlett, I jumped on board right away.

First, it was an interesting and accomplished group I would be collaborating with.

Second, it seemed the right thing to do at the time.

Finally, although as a CPA with an interest and aptitude in the technical I am not as “technical” as some of the others, I have much to learn from these ladies. This was a great chance to meet them and start that conversation

I’ll be honest. I don’t do many single sex things, especially those focused on the fairer sex. I have been fortunate to be treated throughout my career as just another chap, someone who throws in and throws up ideas with no worry as to how they might seem coming from a woman. And I write about the business of the Big 4 audit/accounting firms, a traditionally male dominated audience, exacerbated by the fact that with all the auditor litigation going on, I also entertain a lot of attorneys.

So when we tossed out names for the blog, “Technically Women” was a consensus winner. To me it describes both the literal and figurative middle ground we inhabit between being women and desiring to operate in a traditionally male-dominated realm. It may mean that some of us have learned to operate and succeed in the technical fields and have forgotten that there is any reason to feel intimidated or unnerved by being a minority. It may also be that, without an avatar, our voices are just as likely coming from a man, regardless of our biology.

So to me the title of the blog means that you will get interesting, enlightened, newsworthy, and insightful commentary from the assembled group – a group that just happens to be, technically, women.

Should be fun.
Francine McKenna