Underrepresented in Tech

In this episode, Michelle and Samah discuss the upcoming WordPress Accessibility Day, a 24-hour virtual event in October focused on improving web accessibility. Speakers Bet Hannon and Alexander Gonder share their roles in organizing and their motivations for advocating accessibility, emphasizing its benefits for all users. The event will feature sessions on inclusivity, practical tips, and legal aspects with keynote speaker Lainey Feingold.

In this episode, Michelle and Samah emphasize the global importance of educating women and girls, citing an article from The Steve Sinnott Foundation. We discuss and address broader international issues, such as forced marriages, poverty, and gender-based violence, which can be alleviated through education. We talked about the importance of educating women about health issues and the broader impact of empowering women to make informed choices about their lives.

In this episode, Michelle and Samah explore why minorities are disproportionately targeted by cybercrime. They delve into the heightened vulnerability faced by people of color, Indigenous communities, and women, citing research that reveals higher rates of identity theft and financial fraud among these groups. The discussion highlights how social inequalities are reflected in online spaces, where marginalized communities encounter more significant risks and less protection. The conversation underscores the connection between offline and online violence, emphasizing the need for more inclusive cybersecurity measures.

When Simone Biles stepped away from the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 she came under a lot of negative scrutiny, even though she made it clear that it was for her mental and physical health. If one of the most accomplished women in the world struggles with the stigma of self care, how much more difficult might it be for others of us to do the same? In this episode Samah and Michelle talk about mental wellbeing, stepping back from circumstances that may be harmful to us, and what it means in the tech space to care for our own mental health and wellbeing.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle discuss gender issues in sports, mainly focusing on a female Algerian boxer, Iman Khelif, who faced accusations of not being a woman due to her high testosterone levels and muscular physique. We talked about the unfair treatment of women in sports, the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender norms, and the mental and emotional toll such scrutiny takes on female athletes. We emphasize the importance of empathy, believing people when they tell you who they are, and rejecting the politicization of human identities.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle speak with Kiera Howe, a trans woman in the WordPress and tech community about her transition while teaching tech, her acceptance in the community, and how her openness about transitioning has authentic power. We talked about why it's important to honor peoples' pronouns, and how many places are safe spaces, but valuing people and how we address them is important for safety in all spaces.

Michelle and Samah welcome guests Nadia Maya Ardiani and Miriam Schwab to talk about women's head coverings (including hijab, scarves, and more), and why women choosing to honor their own heritage by wearing them should be accepted and allowed personal expression.

In this episode Michelle and Samah discuss a recent cover of The Economist magazine in which they portray a walker mobility device with the seal of the president of the United States affixed to it and the title "No way to run a country." To infer that disability should disqualify someone from leadership is absurd, and the discussion here will dig deeply into the topic.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle talk about a recent open letter to the organizers for WCEU 2025 from Shahjahan Jewel, in which he talks about WCEU 2025 coinciding with Eid al-Adha, a significant holiday for Muslims. He equates it as if WordCamp was to be held over Christmas. We discuss why honoring religious days is important, why faith should be considered when planning events, and how significant inclusion around faith is.

In this episode, Michelle and Samah talk with Kristina Louise Treadwell, owner of Web Pro Geeks. We discuss how she started her business, how she manages a team, and how she's used Underrepresented in Tech for hiring.