A kaleidoscope of celebrations across the globe
In recent months, ACM Women across the globe have been celebrating women’s achievements in their respective regions: North America (ACMW-NA), Europe (ACM WE) and ACM-W India. In this blog article, we share with you an overview and invite you to join them next time!
North America
In March, Lindsay Jamieson, Linxi Zhang, Naaz Sibia and Angela Zavaleta from ACMW-NA, ran a booth for ACM-W at the SIGCSE conference in Portland Oregon in March 2024 (see Figure 1).
ACM Women’s presence is always well received in high-profile events by the ACM such as this one, and thus we are confident that more of this type of activities will take place on conferences across all subdisciplines in computing with the support of SIGs and ACM-W. Why don’t you reach out to us if you would like ACM-W to be present in one of your conferences?
Chapter-centred activities are also expected to continue to proliferate, such as the in-person activities led by the ACM-W chapters at Boston University, Madison University, and Oregon State University (Figures 2-4), as well as a number of virtual events (such as the Sierra QA, in Figure 5).
Europe
Meanwhile, the ACM WE Communications Chair, Alexandra Patrascu shared the Women’s Talk Marathon (Frauenvortragmarathon) at the Christian Albrecht University (CAU) in Kiel to mark International Women’s Day (Figures 6 and 7). This event was organised by Kiel ACM-W Professional Chapter Chair Pamela Fleischmann, Vice Chair Annika Huch and Executive Committee Member Ina Pfannschmidt, and it was their first ACM Celebration of Women in Computing, featuring 49 talks over 20 hours in three tracks. Women scientists, researchers, and students shared insights into their work and studies, attracting a diverse and engaged audience.
Prof. Dr. Catherine Cleophas, vice president for Digital Transformation, Equality, and Diversity, opened the event by sharing career experiences and stressing the importance of perseverance and role models. Talks from 15 institutes, university administration areas, and the university hospital covered a wide range of topics. Marit Hansen, State Data Protection Commissioner of Schleswig-Holstein, discussed Feminist Data Protection, addressing issues like technical abuse and menstruation tracking apps. The event also featured a café for networking among participants, visitors, and speakers. A notable success story involved a young researcher who transitioned from considering work in a bakery to pursuing a PhD, illustrating the importance of encouragement and networking. The event ended with a presentation from the Lighthouse Project. Anticipation is high for the 2025 edition, with plans for partner events at the University of Helsinki and the University of Lübeck, reinforcing the importance of celebrating women’s achievements in computing.
India
ACM-W India annually hosts the Lady Ada Programming Contest for undergraduate and master’s level female students. This contest provides a platform for developing and showcasing coding talent among novice women in India, encouraging them to explore, enhance, and expand their skills, and empowering female tech talent across the country.
This year, the competition had three stages, with the first two rounds held online, allowing a wide participation across the country. The top ten performers were then invited to an in-person final round at the Pune Institute of Computer Technology on 23rd February 2024 (Figures 8 and 9). To encourage participation, ACM-W India provided travel grants and free accommodation for the finalists. The final round was hosted and run by the PICT ACM-W Student Chapter.
The top three scorers, Anushka Allawadi, Ananya Bangera, and Arefa (Figure 10) received cash prizes and trophies, celebrating and motivating their exceptional talent and dedication.
ACM-W Celebrates Women in Computing
Next day from this event, on the 24 February, the All India Celebration for Women in Computing (AICWiC 2024) took place, also at the Pune Institute of Computer Technology. This is an annual community-building conference dedicated to increase the participation, retention, and advancement of women in computing.
The program facilitated connection and knowledge-sharing through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony followed by the keynote addresses: Anibha Athlaye’s talk, on “GEN-AI,” sparked interest, while Merlyn Mathew’s presentation offered inspiration. A panel discussion, “Build Your Own Brand”, with Sonia Garcha, Sushma Joshi, and Geetanjali Kale, left a lasting impact on the audience (Figure 11). Rutvi Shah, Chair of ACM-W India, then highlighted the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM fields, providing valuable context on the evolving landscape. The event concluded with a closing address by Heena Timani, who emphasized the importance of mentorship and introduced the Buddy Project to foster a supportive community among attendees.
AICWiC 2024 fostered a sense of belonging among participants (Figure 12). Attendees left inspired and equipped with new perspectives. The collective energy and enthusiasm underscored the importance of such gatherings in creating a positive and empowering environment for women in computing.
While these activities reported by the various regions have taken place independently, they are a sample and reflection of a common mission to celebrate and advance women’s achievements in computing. Each region’s unique approach, shaped by local contexts and traditions, enriches the overall impact of ACM Women. It is through varied local interpretations of our shared vision, that these regions materialise the drive to continue to inspire and empower women, for greater inclusivity and excellence in computing.
Do you want to add to this ever-changing, colourful kaleidoscope of celebrations? Get in touch!