International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Originating in 1911, with the first gathering supported by over a million people, the day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
Building on its 2021 theme, #ChooseToChallenge, IWD asks, “How do you choose to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes, and help forge an inclusive world?â€
To answer this question, you might be drawn to one IWD’s 2021 missions, such as championing women in technology, like Sonia Castellano.
Sonia’s journey into technology began when she came across a connection’s testimonial about a coding boot camp they had attended at the University of Denver.
“It was so powerful to see this post come from a Black woman like myself,†said Sonia. “It’s unfortunate that diversity still isn’t the norm in tech roles. This woman, my friend, was successfully challenging that.â€
Sonia made the decision to enroll in that same program, the , and dove in completely — gaining confidence, honing in-demand skills, and eventually, landing a role at a company that shares her values and honors her voice.
For Sonia, discussing the lack of representation in tech isn’t about having a perfect answer. It’s about starting the conversation.
“It’s tough, and it’s challenging, but it’s amazing,†she said. “We hear so much about the ‘typical’ person in tech, and I didn’t fit that. Succeeding was a process of learning all over again how to believe in myself and measuring myself up against my own yardstick. For anyone who is considering following a similar path: do it. Take a bet on yourself.â€
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