Be the change you wish to see!
Yesterday, 12 January 2019 it was. Women who go — Delhi along with PyLadies Delhi had a combined meetup scheduled. I had a talk to present on “Introduction to APIs”. Too soon I experienced what it feels like when there is no audience. But, whatever happens. Happens for the good. I was fortunate to strike conservation with young inspiring girl Rashmi — Organizer Women Who Go, Delhi Chapter.
As there were only 3 of us. Two speakers and she herself. We started off with introductions, backgrounds. We were brainstorming on
How can we encourage women participation in tech meetups?
How does one select the topic for the talk?
butterflies in the stomach before every talk … an interesting conversation followed.
Me: Are you the only organizer? Or there is a team of volunteers you have and people have not turned up?
Rashmi: I am the only one.
Having attended only a few meetups till now, and based on hearing from the rest of the folks who regularly attend meetups. Women attendance is always low. And here I was interacting with someone who single-handedly runs the meetup. Right from coordinating with companies for the event venue, coordinating with the speakers, making up posters for the event, marketing the event, to even arranging the event swags, and snacks. She was doing it all.
This intrigued me to ask her what made you come up with the idea to start Women Who Go — Delhi Chapter?
There are interesting stories behind why a person made the choice S(he) made. This is what she told.
Within our college campus, we have startup incubators. During one of the years, I got selected by one of the startups. I was assigned my first task. To write the code for Web Server using C. I was unable to do it. As a result, I got scolded, lost confidence, extreme fear of coding got instilled. While on one hand, I was listening to her story. On the other, I was relating my own experiences and wondering “If ever scolding would have done any good?”
“We can learn, and one does not know it all.” Coupled with these those draining comments “You cannot do it!” Each of it has its own impact on a person.
At that moment had the fear overruled this girl might not have entered into the male-dominated technical domain after the very first poor experience. The strong lady fought back. She says
“learnt in a hard way that being passionate and working hard are the two vital components of achieving success. I’ve to make them realize that coding is not that hard, as it seems intimidated to be at first: all it needs is practice.patience.perseverance.” Hence, I decided to inspire more women towards coding: make them feel stronger in their skin & help them fight against impostor syndrome.
I could connect with her on many grounds. Four years of engineering filled with its own ups and downs. And on the journey seeing people drifting apart from the pursuit. For some, it was genuine disinterest. But, for some, it might be the inner voice “I am not good enough”. Imposter Syndrome, Male-dominated technical domain. All of this made Rashmi take the leap of faith and start Women Who Go — Delhi chapter. Truly, One-Woman army.
More power to you Rashmi. And all the best for all your future endeavors.
Let’s join Rashmi and be part of the community.
Women Who Go — Delhi Chapter is completely volunteer driven. Like all other tech meetups. If you can come forward, volunteer. The community would grow. Ways in which you can volunteer!
- If you have any contacts with startups, co-working space in Delhi-NCR preferably near to the metro station? — This could help in reaching out for the venue for upcoming events.
- Have learning experience to share with the community? — Come forward as a speaker.
- Creating creatives is something you are good at? — Help her create the event creatives. Meetup posters, speaker posters etc.
- Good with social media marketing? — — Post about the event on various platforms. Help the community reach out to the audience.
Amidst the rat race, competition, hustle. Someone is here to encourage, inspire others. To not get intimidated and give up on fear. :)
Thank you for sharing your story. And inspiring. Way to go Rashmi.
Telegram Link: https://t.co/xY2TNrV7gc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenWhoGoDelhi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/womenwhogo_del
Meetup.com: https://www.meetup.com/New-Delhi-Women-Who-Go/events/257843200/
