Co-produced by NCWIT and Televisa Foundation, the TECHNOLOchicas campaign introduces young Latinas and their families to relatable role models in computing
Today, co-producers Televisa Foundation, a non-profit that brings cultural and educational programs to Latinos in the U.S., and the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), a non-profit that works to increase women’s meaningful participation in computing, launched the third chapter of TECHNOLOchicas. First launched in 2015, this multi-media campaign features the powerful stories of Latinas in technology from diverse backgrounds and environments, in the face of their underrepresentation in technology.
Latinas occupied only one percent of jobs in the computing workforce in 2017. Qualified, diverse talent is needed to fill an estimated 3.5 million computing-related job openings expected by 2026, and Latinas represent a vastly untapped talent pool. [Source: DuBow, W. (2018). Women and Information Technology: By the Numbers. Boulder, CO: NCWIT. Retrieved from: www.ncwit.org/bythenumbers.]
“Latina girls and women in the U.S. may be avid users of technology, but they are significantly underrepresented in its creation,” said NCWIT CEO and Co-founder Lucy Sanders. “We must help them understand that the society needs their valuable technological contributions, so we designed this campaign to feature Latinas whose technical skills are vital and whose career pathways are attainable by the next generation.”
TECHNOLOchicas offers a vast array of online components, available at www.technolochicas.org, to encourage Latinas to pursue educational opportunities and careers in technology:
Videos and biographies profile Latinas’ various paths to success and reveal a day in their lives at work and at home.
Social media posts include daily tips, inspirational quotes, breaking news, and event highlights.
Events engage young Latinas with hands-on activities, question and answer sessions, screenings, and more.
Resources, available in English and Spanish, encourage Latinas’ computing interests and aspirations.
“When it comes to positive portrayals of women in technology in the media, we don’t always get what we need to help reverse the trend of their participation in the industry,” said Alicia Lebrija, President of Televisa Foundation. “What better way to inspire the next generation of Latino innovators than to show them real-life, successful technical women from their own communities?”
TECHNOLOchicas underscores the critical need to acknowledge, celebrate, and raise visibility for Latinas in tech by focusing on the interests, strengths, and needs of the Latino community. Find out more at www.technolochicas.org, and follow @TECHNOLOchicas on social media.
TECHNOLOchicas is made possible through the support of Apple, Dell EMC, Google, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Univision Contigo, Sphere, and the Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CASHI).
About Televisa Foundation
Televisa Foundation’s mission is to help propel Latino children and youth through innovative education and culture programs by becoming a national champion of Latino education and culture addressing key issues through innovative solutions and acting within broad networks of partners. Find out more at www.televisafoundation.org.
About NCWIT
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit community of nearly 1,100 universities, companies, non-profits, and government organizations nationwide working to increase girls’ and women’s meaningful participation in computing. NCWIT equips change leaders with resources for taking action in recruiting, retaining, and advancing women from K–12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.