acm's women in computing
Celebrating, Informing and Supporting Women in Computing

Participate | Regional Conferences

Regional Celebrations Project
Project Leader: Gloria Childress Townsend

The project impetus stems from witnessing women experience the isolation of computing life in rural Indiana in the early 1990s. I wish to eliminate isolation by the lacing together of small pockets of scattered Indiana women for a strong alliance, support and encouragement. My vision lies in completely covering a map of the United States with Small Regional Celebrations, so that no young woman is "left out" of opportunities for support and encouragement. I want every single woman in computing to have a low-cost way to network with other women in her own "neighborhood".

The following goals provide additional rationale for the Regional Conferences projects:

1. Create connections among women and underrepresented groups in computing
2. Provide role-models and mentors
3. Destroy myths about computing
4. Encourage women to stay in computing
5. Give information/help with opportunities such as graduate school, scholarships, fellowships, workshops, conferences, etc.
6. Build community (inter and intra)


Please help us accomplish a similar plan for your state or region, so that we are another puzzle-piece closer to spanning the US with Regional Celebrations. Email: gct at depauw.edu for information.

Other Sources of Inspiration:
Peruse the Web sites of Regional Celebrations for inspiration and helpful tips for organizing a celebration of your own! (see side panel) There is a great deal of variety among these sites:  for example, one celebration spans the entire Midwest; one branches out to Australia.

Read "101 Ideas for Regional Celebrations of Women in Computing" (see side panel) 

Grace Hopper Regional Consortium home page - official home page of GHRC. Visit this site for more information on funding, typical components of a celebration, and future directions



Other Sources of Inspiration:

Michigan 2009

Ohio 2009

Colorado 2008

Indiana 2008

Michigan 2007

Ohio 2007

Australia 2006

Midwest 2006

Indiana 2006

Ohio 2005

Central Indiana 2004


Grace Hopper Regional Consortium


Download Gloria Townsend's "how-to" book,
101 Ideas for
Regional Celebrations
of Women in Computing
Download 101 Ideas for Regional Celebrations of Women in Computing

More questions?  Email
Gloria:
gct at depauw.edu