educational opportunities, and
preparation needed for them to
choose computer science as a field of
study and profession. The race gap
in computer science, Margolis finds,
is one example of the way students
of color are denied a wide range
of occupational and educational
futures. Margolis traces the interplay
of school structures (such factors
as course offerings and student-to-counselor ratios) and belief systems
—including teachers’ assumptions
about their students and students’
assumptions about themselves. Stuck
in the Shallow End is a story of how
inequality is reproduced in America—
and how students and teachers, given
the necessary tools, can change the
system. (From Amazon)
Giving Notice: Why the Best and
Brightest are Leaving the Workplace
and How You Can Help them Stay
Freada Kapor Klein, Wiley, 2007
This is an eye-opening examination of
the causes and dynamics of bias in the
workplace, offering a psychological,
political, and societal analysis of the
actual cost of bias to the bottom line.
The authors make the hurdles that
women and minorities face in the
workplace as personal to the reader
as they are to those who face them.
Giving Notice is filled with sensible
approaches for solving the current
imbalance and challenges us to
rethink unconscious ideas about
stereotypes and commonly accepted
business practices. (From Amazon)
Women Don’t Ask: The High Cost of
Avoiding Negotiation—and Positive
Strategies for Change
Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever
Bantam (2007)
Combining fascinating research with
revealing commentary from hundreds
of women, this ground-breaking book
explores the personal and societal
reasons women seldom ask for what
they need, want, and deserve at home
and at work—and shows how they can
develop this crucial skill. Women Don’t
Ask offers real-life examples of the
differences between the negotiating
habits of men and women, and guides
women in retooling their attitudes
and approaches. (From Amazon)
ORGANIZATIONS IN
SUPPOR T OF DIVERSI T Y
LinuxChix is an international
community group for women working
with Linux and others who want to
support women in CS. It was founded
in 1999, with the aim to help and
encourage new users and provide a
comfortable environment for women
to discuss Linux and other open
source software. The community’s
motto is “Be polite, be helpful.”
http://www.linuxchix.org/
National Society of Black Engineers
(NSBE) boasts more than 30,000
members around the globe. Its
mission is “to increase the number of
culturally responsible Black engineers
who excel academically, succeed
professionally and positively impact
the community.” Membership is open
to students and professionals within
the disciplines of science, technology,
engineering, or math. Member
benefits include leadership training,
professional development activities,
mentoring, career placement services,
and more.
https://www.nsbe.org/
Committee on the Status of Women in
Computing Research (CRA-W) works
to increase the number of women
participating in computer science
and engineering (CSE) research and
education at all levels. The group
produces a Distinguished Lecture
Series aimed to encourage college
students to pursue careers in research.
CRA-W also hosts conferences and
workshops, and sponsors numerous
activities for undergraduates,
graduates, women working in
academia, and women researchers.
http://cra-w.org/
69
ACRONYMS
ACM-W ACM Committee on Women in
Computing: This committee aims to
improve the status, representation, and
role of women in CS related fields. Runs
and maintains mentoring programs,
regional celebrations, scholarships,
awards, policies of concern, etc., for the
benefit of women in computing.
ABI WT Anita Borg Institute for
Women and Technology: Started by
Anita Borg in 1997, its mission is
to “increase the impact of women
on all aspects of technology” and
to “increase the positive impact of
technology on the world’s women.”
Famous for organizing the Grace
Hopper Celebration of Women in
Computing, the world’s largest series
of conferences aimed at women in CS.
NOGLS TP National Organization
of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and
Technical Professionals: Pronounced,
“nah’-goal-step,” this professional
society is dedicated to educating and
advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and queer students and
professionals in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
SACNAS Society for Advancement
of Chicanos and Native Americans in
Science: Founded in 1973, the group
is dedicated to fostering the success
of Hispanic/Chicano and Native
American students and professionals
to attain advanced degrees, careers,
and positions of leadership in science.
TAP The Ada Project: Started in 1994
at Yale University and currently
maintained by Women@SCS,
Carnegie Mellon, TAP shares online
resources organized under subjects
like conferences, projects, funding,
organizations, employment, notable
women in computer science, etc. The
stated goal is to provide a centralized
resource location, which women can
“tap” into.
WITI Women in Technology
International: Started in 1989, it
is an international organization of
professional women in all sectors of
tech. It aims to empower women in the
corporate world, bring global focus to
diversity in CS, and encourage young
girls to take up tech careers.