Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2012 about Women in Tech with audio

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Saturday 10th March 2012

• Binary Bitches: Keeping Open Source Open to Women

  by Andrea Hickerson, Xanthe Matychak and Mairin Duffy

  Open source communities pride themselves on the premise of egalitarian communication where every voice is valued, heard and documented. Despite this noble goal, this panel discusses how women and their communication style might nevertheless result in their marginalization or deter them from participating in open source communities in the first place.
  This dual presentation, moderated by a journalist, brings together two women with different perspectives and experiences working in open source communities. Together they will discuss how the marginalization of women in open source affects process and product outcomes, particularly with regard to design. We will also discuss strategies to improve participation in open source communities both from an industry and educational perspective. We look forward to starting a conversation about problems with, and solutions for, working in open source communities.
  To make this dual conversation engaging and interactive, it will take questions from the crowd and ask for examples/testimonials from men and women about gendered communication in open source communities.
  Have a comment, story or experience you would like to share with us before the panel? Email our moderator, Andrea Hickerson, andreahickerson21@gmail.com

  • Open Source
  • Women in Tech

  At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 10th March

  In Room 9ABC, Austin Convention Center

  Coverage audio clip

Monday 12th March 2012

• Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Backwards in Heels

  by Pooja Sankar, Victoria Ransom, Michelle Zatlyn, Piya Sorcar and Kara Swisher

  Ginger Rogers may have said it, but today's female entrepreneurs are proving it. Right now, women are starting and leading new and innovative companies at an unprecedented rate. From e-commerce to healthcare to Internet infrastructure, women are breaking new ground across all industries these days. But, why now? What are today's female entrepreneurs doing differently to build sustainable businesses and get the attention and credit they deserve? What unique struggles do they still contend with and what advice can they share with tomorrow's generation of female leaders? These questions and more will be addressed in this entertaining panel.

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Women in Tech

  At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Monday 12th March

  In Salon C, Hilton Austin Downtown

  Coverage audio clip

• Financial Services & Technology Rockstar Women

  by Simone McCallum, Joyce Sullivan, Liz Lumley, Anna O'Brien and Sarah Carter

  Tweet, trade, and be fabulous doing it. Hear from global financial services and technology leaders, who happen to be women, how they use social media to drive innovation and change in this highly regulated industry. In an easy to understand format, you’ll learn what social media regulation means in the day-to-day workings of financial services organizations. Insights into the use of social data and measurement metrics to support and promote your organization’s foray into social media will also be offered. With smarts, humor and grace, this group will share their secrets of success, and will give you the essential tools you’ll need to be a Financial Services & Technology Rockstar in your own organization.

  • Financial Services
  • Women in Tech

  At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday 12th March

  In Sabine, Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown

  Coverage slide deck audio clip

Tuesday 13th March 2012

• Women Drive Change: Tech in the Global South

  by Zawadi Nyong'o, Kara Andrade, Emily Jacobi, Jenn Sramek and Catherine Harrington

  The use of technology by women in the Global South is growing fast!

  From Africa to South America to Southeast Asia, women in the Global South are using technology tools in new and creative ways with astounding results. Teen girls and senior citizens alike are finding the freedom to use technology to let their voices be heard, to foster an independent living, and to bring about revolution.

  Women in the Global South are using advanced tactics and tools to:

  • Gain support to achieve their right to drive in Saudi Arabia
  • Advance human rights, sexual and reproductive rights and health, governance, and sustainable development in East Africa
  • Raise awareness about corrective rape and other hate crimes against lesbians in South Africa
  • Do Community mapping of sexual violence and harassment in Egypt
  • Mobilize support for women’s representation in leadership positions
  • Organize to topple political leadership

  Sophisticated and coordinated social media campaigns are becoming the domain of women all over the world.

  We will talk about what this means for women in the Global South, how their online personas might differ from real-world personas in societies where women have fewer rights, and where technology tools need to go next in order to meet their specific needs.

  • Africa
  • Middle East
  • South America
  • Women
  • Women in Tech

  At 3:30pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday 13th March

  In Salon E, AT&T Conference Center

  Coverage audio clip