Whew! It’s been a few years since my last post, and after last-year’s turn of events, the post I was meaning to write, just didn’t happen. But! Since it’s technically the last day of Women’s History Month, it seems that while time is progressing, some things are staying the same. Therefore, the post shall happen this year.
First, though, this post on lived experiences by Laurie Barth is a great lead-in to my own lived experience as a woman who happens to be privileged in some things (cis, white) yet lacking in that magical Industry-approved Age[tm]. Before I write my ode to the women who have taken us to where we are today, I’m going to pause in this article for an intermission while y’all read that first.
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Oh, you’re back? Cool. Let’s carry on then!
So as prefaced in my original post, I’ve been in the industry a while and it’s sure been an interesting journey. Paving a way through the 90s tech industry where there were'nt many women in tech — especially in the leadership roles that were reserved for those men in their early to mid-30s. Trying my best to stay the course, pay my dues — yeah, that was thing we did back then, pay dues to move up the corporate ladder — and move upwards through the ranks without throwing hands up in frustration and/or rage quitting the industry entirely.
Anyhow, it’s sure been a ride, and I’m still cruising. Sometimes it feels like hanging by a fingernail on a cliff, but…
That said, I suspect there’s more than one Gen-X woman that has somewhat similar thoughts, and I have crafted an ode to honor them.
My Ode to the Front Lines: Gen-X Women in tech
Oh women of Gen-X, In the industry of old, the stories we could tell. Some a bit hair raising. Some of us nod — and sigh — in solidarity. Doing the thankless work of sticking out the tough moments.
Sighing in sadness when a generation so often forgets that we exist. Watching those experienced — but mostly in their 30s — Women in tech panels reminisce about "the old days” of using Flash when they were in grade school. Rolling our eyes a bit, because we remember when Director was released. And we were in our 20s
We persevere, though. Our sense of humor is one of our finest assets. We share our reaction gifs without abandon, despite those hot-take commentaries on our relevancy.
This song pops up in our minds more often than not when it's spicy-take time, and we swap “your” for “our” in the lyrics, before smiling and moving on.
Continuing to make the road for the next generations of underrepresented and marginalized communities in tech a bit easier to succeed.
Hoping that the generations entering and somewhat established in the industry will make room for our well-earned life experiences. Understanding the very key distinction that the phase lift others as you climb doesn’t mean push your front lines out the door.
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