WE RISE!!

We RISE was amazing.  I attended a full-day workshop on Vue.js, taught by Jen Looper of Vue Vixens.  It was so cool to leave the workshop with two working versions of an app. The other standout session was by Teri Chadbourne, who spoke about Offline First.  Whenever anyone asks what my best tech takeaway was, it’s the first thing I talk about.

I’ve had a difficult time writing about my experience at We RISE.  It was incredible and I learned a lot and made some great connections, even in my deeply introverted state.  I’ve tried writing an overview. I’ve tried writing a kind of diary. They both fell flat. After a few weeks of reading Tweets from some of the women I met, I realized why I was having such a hard time.  We RISE wasn’t about me. As out of place as I’ve felt for the past 10 years as a woman in tech, there are other folks who have experienced racism and sexism and brutality on a level that I couldn’t even imagine until I attended We RISE.  This conference was a chance for me to listen and really hear that I have been part of the problem all this time. I will never forget it.

Thank you Women Who Code for allowing me the opportunity to attend through your generous sponsorship.  I would also like to thank all of the women who were brave enough to share their stories and their time with us.  Kim Crayton, in particular, challenged my preconceived notions about pretty much everything having to do with privilege, bias and being marginalized.  Jennifer Bland made me know that even the tiny bit of power I do hold needs to be used for good.

If you are a female-identifying individual and you’ve done your time at tech conferences and had your fill, I highly encourage you to attend We RISE next year.  The keynotes will be inspiring. The workshops and classes will teach you a lot. What will change your perspective, and possibly your life, will be the stories you hear if you open your heart and truly listen.

Original post published here.
Follow Holly Deitz @technicalgravy