[WIT Women Of The Year In Technology Awards
Jamar Lizarraga
The Women Tech Awards is the premier awards program for women in technology with ties to Silicon Slopes, and has recognized some of the most prestigious and up-and-coming women throughout the technology industry. By bringing visibility to the women who are creating new technologies, leading technology companies, driving innovation and inspiring the tech community, these awards accelerate their career trajectories, elevate the entire technology sector, and help inspire thousands of high school girls and other women into STEM careers.
Nominations are open for the Annual Women Tech Awards! This program recognizes the technology-focused women in our tech ecosystem who are driving innovation, creating new technologies, impacting companies and inspiring the tech community.
And save the date now for the awards luncheon on October 3, at the Grand America! This will be an incredible event to celebrate the inspirational women in our tech community, accelerate the incredible things happening in our community, and recognize the talent that surrounds us.
Every year, the Women in Technology Leadership Awards recognize and honor female leaders whose achievements, mentorship and contributions to the community align with the WIT mission of advancing women in technology from the classroom to the boardroom. These are highly successful women who have made mentoring the next generation of leaders in technology a significant component of their own success.
Typical nominees for the Leadership Awards work in a technology role or for a technology company where they accelerate at leadership and innovation. In addition they stimulate professional growth of those they manage or mentor through their actions and encouragement. Nomination categories offer many opportunities to highlight the outstanding capabilities and accomplishments of women from large and small public and private organizations, demonstrating social impact, being a stellar contributor to WIT and others.
Education: Acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to teaching technology or mentoring girls studying technology in Michigan. Emphasizes efforts to promote the exploration of technology fields among middle and high school girls.
Community Impact: Honors business owners and leaders who have significantly impacted girls and women in their communities through their tech-related endeavors. Recognizes their efforts in creating meaningful change and opportunities for women in Michigan.
The MCWT Woman of the Year in Technology awards recognize four remarkable women in Michigan who are making significant impacts in the field of technology, specifically in the areas of Education, Emerging Leader, Community Impact, and Women Empowerment. The winner announcement took place on Tuesday, May 14th, at the 11th annual Executive Connection Summit.
The N.C. Department of Information Technology's Broadband Infrastructure Office Director Angie Bailey was named N.C. Tech Association's 2022 Tech Woman of the Year as part of the N.C. Tech Awards, North Carolina's only statewide technology awards program for innovation, growth and leadership in the technology sector. The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) also had four finalists in awards for data analytics, cybersecurity, public safety and health care.
"We are thrilled that the N.C. Tech Association recognized Angie as the 2022 Tech Woman of the Year for her dedication to expanding broadband infrastructure access to all North Carolinians," said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Jim Weaver. "She is a phenomenal asset to NCDIT and is instrumental to our efforts to connect the 1.1 million residents on the wrong side of the digital divide."
Bailey has made closing the digital divide in North Carolina, one of Governor Roy Cooper's top priorities, the office's top initiative. Her wealth of knowledge and leadership skills are helping the office expand affordable, high-speed internet access, so all North Carolina homes and businesses can participate in the modern digital economy.
"The current investments in broadband infrastructure are an unprecedented opportunity for moving our state forward and ensuring that truly no communities are left behind," said Bailey. "We have built an amazing, dedicated team at NCDIT to implement these programs. I am grateful for the recognition for all of us, and the opportunity to guide this critical work."
The N.C. Tech Association recognized Bailey for her work overseeing nearly $1 billion in funds for broadband infrastructure programs appropriated by the N.C. General Assembly from the American Rescue Plan, as well as additional future funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed internet access. With more than 20 years of experience in broadband planning and development in North Carolina, she has extensive expertise in broadband policy issues, rural and community development, coordination of statewide programs, and fostering partnerships with broadband providers. Bailey has led the Broadband Infrastructure Office within the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity since August 2021, first as interim director and then as director beginning in December 2021.
Despite national conversations about equality and inclusion, women remain underrepresented in tech and STEM fields. Half the total U.S. college-educated workforce is comprised of women, but women account for only 28 percent of the science and engineering workforce, according to data from the National Science Foundation. When you break it down by field, women have only a 15 percent share of engineering roles and 26 percent of computer and mathematical science roles.
The AnitaB.org Abie Awards are part of Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), an annual conference and celebration of women in STEM. Winners receive a cash prize, the opportunity to speak at the GHC along with an expenses-paid trip to the event. The award ceremony also includes the Technical Leadership and the Student of Vision Abie Awards, while other awards are presented biannually. Other Abie Awards that will be presented at the 2020 GHC include Technology Entrepreneurship, Emerging Leader and Change Agent.
The Pass It On Awards Program, another award from AnitaB.org, grants cash awards of up to $1,000 to help fund women working in computing or to fund projects that support women and girls entering STEM fields. Awards are funded by donations from Systers, an online community for women in STEM fields created in 1987 by Anita Borg, who is noted as one of the earlier pioneers for women in tech.
The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) annually presents a Leadership and Next Generation award to two women in STEM. The Leadership Award is given to a woman in STEM who represents strong leadership and a dedication to empowering other women in STEM. The Next Generation Award is presented to a woman in STEM who represents and advocates innovation, inclusion and growth in the tech industry. Companies can also receive the Game Changer Award, which is presented to an organization that is making strides in the industry for diversity and the advancement of women in tech leadership.
The Women in Technology (WIT) Annual Leadership Awards were established to honor and acknowledge women who are strong leaders and who have directly contributed to the tech community through professional achievements and mentorship. The awards recognize women leaders who have taken on the responsibility of mentoring future successful leaders in technology and supporting other women working in tech.
The Women Tech Council (WTC) is a national organization that focuses on the contributions and economic impact of women in the tech industry. The WTC aims to develop programs that encourage women to succeed in STEM starting as early as high school. The WTC annual Women Tech Awards include the Trailblazer, Data Innovator, Impact, Diversity Leadership, Culture Leadership, Technology Leadership, Entrepreneurship Excellence and Operational Excellence awards.
WIT is excited to host their 25th Annual Women of The Year Awards in October 2024 at the Georgia Aquarium with hundreds of technologists in attendance. WIT Awards celebrate women in STEAM who live in the state of Georgia for their accomplishments as leaders in business, visionaries, and women who make a difference in their communities.
Additionally, a special middle or high school girl is recognized as the Girl of The Year, a college with a WIT Campus Club is awarded our Campus Club of the Year, and a graduate from our Single Mothers Program is given our Single Mother of The Year Award.
Since 1992, Women in Technology (WIT) has been a formidable force-an engine of change and innovation-that helps women and girls break through barriers and advance opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). WIT works to empower and educate women and girls about opportunities in STEAM by educating middle and high school girls, and young women in college and by sharing the stories of successful professional women in STEAM.
Women in Technology (WIT) empowers girls and women to excel in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) from the classroom to the boardroom. We do this by providing our community with education, exposure and experience. By sharing the stories of successful professionals across the STEAM fields, we encourage all generations of girls and women to write their future.
Today, WIT has 37,000+ members worldwide and our team of more than 250 volunteers deliver professional development and networking opportunities to each of our professionals and programs at no charge to more than 4,000 students. WIT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we are committed to making Georgia the state with the highest percentage of women in the STEAM workforce by partnering with our community to provide opportunities that champion women throughout their education and career.
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