August 27, 2013 at 9:35 pm
Hard to believe this still happens... I've not personally come across it in recent memory other than 3rd hand accounts. Is this just an outlier or is it more common than we think?
August 28, 2013 at 1:43 am
I have to wonder what this mystery person thinks a woman who is attending a technical event would choose to talk about--knitting, perhaps? The right shade of red for the curtains? I'm honestly gobsmacked that such an attitude still exists.
August 28, 2013 at 2:07 am
But I know about embroidery and kittens - why can't I talk about databases?
Reminds me of the time someone drove a not inconsidereable distance here to have an interview with his prospective boss (a lady) during which he said that he considered women to be a distraction in the workplace. How to fail an interview in one simple step!
August 28, 2013 at 2:57 am
I have seen very good male nurse and very good female boss. Good and smart people do not depend on the sex, the color of the skin, the language, the religion, the clothes, or anything. You can find bad and worst people everywhere: in your neighbourghood, even in your own family... It all depends on your DNA and the way you have been raised. Guess what would have become of you if you had been switch, while you were a baby at the hospital, to a family that abuse and brainwash their child instead of being properly raised...
August 28, 2013 at 3:05 am
I know which woman the editorial is talking about, and the sad/stunning part is she probably knows SQL Server 100 times better than the UG leader.
As the old Belgian song by the group the Evil Superstars goes:
"It's a sad sad planet."
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
August 28, 2013 at 3:12 am
Agree with Koen totally very sad state of affairs, and why can't men be good at deciding on the right shade of red for the curtains...
Hmmmm note to self possible niche market for male interior designers.
August 28, 2013 at 4:10 am
First, what the <insert your own expression here>?
My expression would be "Kalen Delaney".
Ada Lovelace - possibly the first ever computer programmer.
Grace Hopper "the mother of Cobol"
Frances Allen - Won a Turing award. Not exactly small beer.
My wife's aunt was the highest ranking female officer in the Royal Navy during WWII. She was shipped all over the world installing, configuring RADAR plus training people to do the same. This is a women who at the age of 92 demonstrated to a TV repair man that the "broken" TV could be fixed by replacing a specific chip and soldering a loose connection!
August 28, 2013 at 4:11 am
This is real sad thing to read such unprofessional statement in such a brilliant forum. This was the first bad thing I read on this forum. Hopefully it should be the last.
August 28, 2013 at 4:50 am
David.Poole (8/28/2013) My expression would be "Kalen Delaney".
I was about to say pretty much exactly the same thing. Having seen her speak at this year's SQLBits, I can definitely attest to her being one of the best technical presenters out there, and an excellent counter-example to the kind of idiocy Steve mentions in his article.
August 28, 2013 at 5:13 am
Revolting and unacceptable. But what has been done? What message will be sent out to this and other groups if nothing is done?
For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden
August 28, 2013 at 5:52 am
Can't imagine who would still be in a position of authority with that attitude but I guess there are still and will probably always be prejudice as you said. I agree with all that you stated with one possible exception. I am torn on whether groups like "women" in technology are a good thing or not and here is why; if we continue identifying our differences instead of our sameness are we not adding to the stereo types that start prejudicial thinking in the first place? Should we not group ourselves based on interest or subject i.e SQL, .NET, etc., etc. and leave it at that. Should we not embrace everyone who has an interest in what we have an interest in and not even consider race, color, religious beliefs, gender, age etc.? Just asking. Heard a joke once about the first denomination of the church, two guys met on the road and started talking about themselves. Both discovered that the other had been cured of blindness by Jesus but found that one had been cured simply by faith and the other by mud on the eyes and washing in a pool. They went away mad and determined that their way was the only way and so a split. Rather than focusing on the important point that they were both cured and by the same person. Just a thought.
August 28, 2013 at 5:56 am
Unfortunately, I've encountered similar situations where some folks don't believe a woman could be technically savvy. Usually once I help them through a technical problem, they realize that, wow, hey, she does know what she is doing.
Steve - I hope the person of whom you speak subscribes to SSC. Perhaps reading the comments from the members will at least give him pause, if not change his mind (though I doubt it).
*edited to add comment to Steve
August 28, 2013 at 6:02 am
There are, unfortunately, unenlightened people everywhere. In the person's defense, they might have had a bad experience before? (poor excuse though!).
Never quite understood this kind of attitude. At my current job, we have I think 10 DBAs among the various groups, and I am 1 of 2 male DBAs. My previous job, 2 out of 6 where female. Some people need to crawl out from under the rocks.
(and this is not to even mention the very many excellent female speakers at conferences and classes!)
August 28, 2013 at 6:21 am
I have been in the technology field for many years now. As a young woman I saw much of the prejudice towards women that unfortunately still exists today. Today I still find that when dealing with a male coworker it is usually necessary to "prove" my skills before being awarded any confidence or respect, however there are more men today that are accepting of female counter parts. Men typically are more competitive and agressive in nature than are women, and this can be an obstacle to working together with mutual respect, but why is it when a woman attempts to play on the same field she is labeled a "B@#ch"?
I do believe that the tides are turning, and more women being in the field, and in higher positions is making this happen. "Lean In" girlfriends!
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 127 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply