By: Ashmar Mandou
According to the U.S. Census Bureau only two percent of people working in the technology field are Latinas, and Latinas in Tech is on a mission to recruit more Latinas into STEM roles. “Our goal is to connect Latinas with recourses and mentors to help them along their journey. Our mission is to build community and hopefully inspire women to learn more about the STEM fields,” said Zimri Rodriguez, head of events and programming at La Familia Foundation, who leads national efforts across eight chapters to uplift Latina VCs and founders through connection.
Latinas in Tech is a national non-profit organization, including a Chicago chapter, which has helped thousands of professional women launch their careers in tech through leadership development, upskilling opportunities, and mentorships. According to Latinas in Tech, women in tech face unique challenges in the workplace and the organization is designed to provide support through hands on training, leadership workshops, and additional resources. “I remember when I first started out in tech,” said Rodriguez. “It was such a male-dominated industry, there was no one who looked like me, or shared cultural connections. I joined Latinas in Tech by chance because I had a few friends who were already part of the organization. Since joining I have built a strong connection with so many members, we have built a strong community through mentorships and workshops,” said Rodriguez.
One of the more vital services provided by Latinas in Tech is the LiT Academy, a year-round course for busy professionals who want to grow their skills, confidence, and career opportunities. Participants are taught by high ranking professionals, are provided by self-paced video lessons, optional live learning labs, and hands-on projects. As first-generation Latina, Rodriguez’s goal is to inspire future first-generation of women to take a risk and enter an ever-growing field. “We are building a community here. We have strong partnerships, we are building allyship, we are really paying it forward so that future generations have all the resources they need to succeed,” said Rodriguez.
Latinas in Tech has 23 chapters and more than 33,000 members across the globe. If you are interested in learning more about Latins in Tech or joining the organization, visit www.latinasintech.org/chapter/chicago or email chicago@latinasintech.org. Latinas in Tech in conjunction with 1871Tech will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 29th at 111 N. Canal St., with the goals of inspiring and celebrating the contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. If you would like to RSVP, head over to the Latinas in Tech website.
Photo Credit: Latins in Tech
