Women in the majority of the United States population, and their presence in the workforce is nothing to bat an eye at, boasting a nearly 78% participation rate. However, when it comes to the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), their representation shrinks to a mere third, as reported by the San Antonio Report. And if we look into the world of venture-backed startups, the percentage drops even more alarmingly, where last year, only 2% of companies that exclusively had women founders received venture capital funds.
In an effort to confront these disparities, San Antonio has become the backdrop for a couple of significant events during Women's History Month aimed at empowering and interconnecting women in business and tech. Women in Robotics in San Antonio, an affiliate of an international non-profit, is orchestrating an event titled Leading Women in Tech at the Capital Factory, within the Boeing Center, and it's expected to spotlight local women making waves in tech-heavy fields like cybersecurity and aerospace.
Stephanie Garcia of Port San Antonio, who established the chapter, highlighted in a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report that, "events like these raise awareness that there are women doing this work." She pointed out the strong local ties women in STEM have developed and how this network continues to foster growth and awareness among their ranks. Bianca Rhodes, a featured speaker at the event and president and CEO of Knight Aerospace, emphasized the event's significance, saying, "It's really important to increase women's awareness about what they can do."
On a separate note, the Women Founders Network is also throwing its weight behind the cause. With a kickoff event centered on "Marketing Strategy: Connecting to your Perfect Customer," the initiative is not limited to tech. It caters to all women founders looking for support with starting, or growing their business endeavors, Geekdom, chair Cat Dizon explained in remarks to the San Antonio Report. The network, entering its first full year, plans to continue supporting women through various stages of business development, culminating in a pitch event set for October's SA Startup Week.
Both events are set against the backdrop of Women's History Month, serving as a practical inspiration to women, who despite making up a robust part of the general and labor population, face a daunting climb in the STEM and entrepreneurial sectors. Local leaders hope these gatherings not only highlight the achievements of women in these fields but also offer a blueprint for others to follow suit and topple persisting gender disparities in the tech and business world.
