Who runs the world? Women!
And while you may not blink twice seeing a woman at the election polls or holding a seat in Congress today, it wasn’t until recent years that women in the United States were allowed these rights as citizens.
It took seven decades and hundreds of thousands of activists circulating petitions, giving speeches, publishing newspapers, and traveling the country to gain support for women’s suffrage. They were often ridiculed, harassed, attacked, and sometimes even jailed during protests; but still, they persevered.
On August 26th, 1920, women achieved their goal—the certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution:
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
Today, we recognize the anniversary of this monumental moment in American history as Women’s Equality Day! It’s a day to honor the courageous activists who fought for women’s suffrage, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done. Gender-based discrimination and inequality still plagues our country and it’s time for a change.
As a woman-led organization, we’re working to rectify these inequalities by amplifying underrepresented voices, hiring a diverse workforce, and never backing down from a discussion about inclusion and equality. Hear from TGG’s President and CEO, Molly Earle, about what it’s like being a woman leading an organization in a field primarily dominated by men:
What’s it like working as a woman in the geospatial industry?
While women may not represent a major proportion of the GIS industry in general, I have never felt a lack of other women to connect with and learn from in the GIS community here in the Pacific Northwest. I could easily give you a list of names of women whom I’ve known and respected in the field here in Oregon for years—and who are well-respected among their male counterparts, too.
Have you noticed any gender stereotypes?
I will say there have been times when I’ve felt a bit of imposter syndrome in the GIS world, but it’s never been due to my gender; it’s because working in GIS is my second career (I was an elementary and middle school teacher before I moved to Oregon and joined TGG). I didn’t study GIS before I began working in this industry, so I have learned a lot on-the-job and there has been a sometimes-steep learning curve for me. I have never felt disrespected or undermined by men I’ve worked with in this industry. My experience is surely unique, in that I work with my brother and have a very strong, mutually respectful relationship with him...so we should do a follow-up interview with some other women in GIS, and see what they have to say!
What advice would you give to women interested in pursuing a leadership role in GIS?
Without question, GO FOR IT! There are so many fascinating applications for GIS technology, and the range of applications is literally growing all the time. GIS was once a little-known side-technology; it is everywhere you look now, and there are tons of opportunities for people to engage in the industry. If it’s truly a leadership position that you want, then your business, leadership, and people skills are ultimately going to be more important than your GIS chops. However, you need to know what your business/industry does and have (at the very least!) a high level understanding of the “how”—so it would be smart to invest some significant time and energy in that endeavor.
The one way in which I have clearly witnessed that there are fewer women than men represented in GIS is in recruitment and hiring. We’d love to have more smart, curious, motivated, and adventurous female team members—especially GIS developers and project managers—and they seem to be very few and far between. Are you one of these people?! Send me your resume here!