The Women in Computer Science (WiCS) Committee supports the success of women in their studies in computer science, and prepares them for a future career in computing.
One of our key annual goals is to send students to the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC). GHC is the world’s largest gathering of women technologists. Female students, who might feel isolated in classes or labs where they are one of a handful of women, are empowered by the experience of being in a sea of 12,000 technical women. They hear from and meet other women in tech whose interests and experiences resonate with them and inspire them. They find role models and meet like-minded peers. Students return from GHC with greater self confidence, a greater sense of belonging in the tech community, and a greater commitment to their degree program.
When we send larger groups of students to GHC, they return as change agents. They bond as a group and form small networks that persist beyond the trip. They return with new motivation to make tangible changes to improve the situation for women in computing. They run technical workshops for each other, and run the BigCSters mentoring group. They help to spread to other students what they have learned about tech feminism, about relying on and supporting other women, and about succeeding in CS.
Help us to send 50 students to GHC in 2016. The Cheriton School of Computer Science has contributed $50,000 to this cause, which will cover the expenses of 25 students. We are looking to raise funds to send another 25 students.
Please donate today, and forward this request to contacts in your social network of University of Waterloo alumni and in the KW tech community.
