[Promotion] Re: Women in FLOSS day?

[Anne Østergaard]

søn, 26 11 2006 kl. 22:14 +0100, skrev Thilo Pfennig:
> 2006/11/2, Thilo Pfennig <tpfennig at gmail.com>:
> > Hi, I want to suggest that we try to announce a common "Women in
> > FLOSS"-day. I think this could be make more vital by the groups:
> > Ubuntu Women, Debian Women, KDE Women, GNOME Women, Fedora Women ,
> 
> Just want to give some status info: Unfortunately I did not get any
> responses, yet (like on this post
> http://lists.debian.org/debian-women/2006/11/msg00009.html). So I
> think either one can assume this was a bad idea and dump it or
> somebody else have to take additional steps. I am not going to invest
> more time right now.

I am very sorry that I have not responded to your fine initiative and
your mail before.

However I think it would be an absolute splendid idea to have such a
"Women in FLOSS"-day or conference in 2007. I myself thought about this
a year ago. But I needed the help, and support of others like you Thilo
to make it happen. My male friends offered all sorts of "interesting"
ideas. They would like to meet lovely girls who understands them- to may
be find a girlfriend:)

That you as a man Thilo took this up is very considerate, and
responsible of you. Respect! I blame myself for not answering you and
the other list members before.

I have spent much time during this summer given presentations, and
interviews on this subject. See my presentations here:
http://easterbridge.com 

I felt that since I during a former job employment have been involved in
gender issues, and gender action plans, also on United Nations level I
had a duty to do something.

That "something" is a the moment that I run for re-election as a board
member on The GNOME Foundation Board of Directors.

I have not been very active on any specific women's wailing lists. The
reason being that it is in my opinion the attitude of some of our fellow
male hackers that needs changing. This is the reason that I have mainly
tried to keep my writings on the subject on the common mailing lists
where all the men are. 

Only very nice guys who does not need to change their attitude follow
the women's mailing lists. The rest would not dream of it.

I can tell you about many conferences where there have been no female
speakers at all to give presentations. Do you think the program will
attract many women participants?

Everybody is looking for good persons to look up to in the different
communities. Good examples gives you guidance, and inspiration on how to
behave in the community. Bad ones scares you away. May be for good.

During the many conferences I have attended I keep coming back to the
ones with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and diversity.

Whenever a female starts a debate on a mailing list she has to be
prepared to defend herself and/or take a lot of "bashing". Even have her
intelligence, and motives questioned in a not "flattering" way. These
ir-respectable remarks will remain on the internet and could flaw your
reputation.

I have thought about your idea about a price. I think it would work. I
should in my opinion be given to the community (not to a specific
person) who has done the most efforts to integrate more females during
the past year. I support the goal!

Competitions attracts attention of the press, and the society. This
could over time lead to change.

Were you aware that during the Libre Software Meeting in France this
year over 200 French women attended the conference during the week. The
majority were there to learn more about the use of Free Software in
Education. This has not attracted so much attention as the Women's
Summer Outreach Program 2006

>From my perspective the largest problem for us women is to be
integrated, accepted, and be able to built a sustainable net work of
other women, and men with the same goals and interests.

I agree with you that Free Software brings emancipation along with many
other good things.

Thilo please don't leave us. We need you!

I think it is the Debian Women who says that what is a good climate for
women is a good climate for everyone!


Best

Anne