It Screen Goddess Calendar Controvery

Inspect for Gadgets

2006-08-12T14:33:00.000+10:00

In honour of the WWII General Macarthur bureau female ‘code breakers’ we named this competition – “Inspect for Gadgets”.

Every main image has technology placed, some obvious, some hidden. Your assignment is to number and name all technology items included in the screen goddess photographs.

The LAMARR CODE

2006-08-12T14:32:00.000+10:00

In honour of Hedy Lamarr the real world goddess of the silver screen and technologist guru we name this competition the “Lamarr Code” – where you will go on a fact finding mission to locate the hidden message in the calendar – your mission, should you accept it, is to find the month and solve the message.

Model BIOS: Behind the IT Screen Goddess Calendar

2006-08-12T14:29:00.000+10:00

The goddesses in this calendar have been actively involved in designing, planning and running traditional projects and programs aimed at encouraging girls to take up technology studies and women to enter IT careers. Many years of voluntary work, time and personal funds have been spent by these goddesses working towards this 'cause'. Some are internationally recognized researchers in this field.

It is that background of knowledge and hands on experience that each goddess brought to the project that confirmed it was time to try a different approach, it was time to get a message broader than the attendees at specific events, it was time to raise awareness regarding careers in technology with peer groups and parents.

Producing the calendar was fun, however the subject matter is far deeper than fun and glamour. It is about recognising that there is an issue with attracting, retaining and promoting women in these fields. It's about the general public knowing that there is a diverse range of women in a wide variety of technology careers and that they absolutely LOVE their lives, and love what they do so much they want to share that passion with others and encourage more females to take up studies and careers.

It's about making a difference.

Two of my Heroes

2006-08-05T12:02:00.002+10:00

Hedy Lamarr

The actress who patented spread spectrum in WW11. Today the same technology is used in Cellular & mobile networks

Quotes:

"Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid."

"Films have a certain place in a certain time period. Technology is forever."

Dubbed by MGM's Louis B. Mayer as the "most beautiful girl in the world," Lamarr fled the rise of Nazism, leaving her native Austria for Hollywood in 1937.

The most fascinating chapter in her life occurred during World War II, when Lamarr and the avant garde musician George Antheil received a patent for a "secret communications system" intended for use in guiding U.S. Navy torpedoes.

Lamarr and Antheil conceived the idea of "frequency hopping" to quickly shift the radio signals of control devices, making them invulnerable to radio interference or jamming.

Truly ahead of its time, the system was never implemented by the military, in part because the technology of the time was inadequate. The system finally came into its own in the cellular telephone age. Now called "spread spectrum" instead of "frequency hopping," the basic idea is the same

Dispelling the myth that it's impossible to be both smart and sexy, Hedy is an inspiration to beautiful intelligent women everywhere. Interestingly, when advised that her efforts would be better directed towards raising money for the war effort via her massive appeal (as opposed to "hanging around the patent office"), she agreed, raising $USD7 Million at just one event.

For those who see this as evidence of sexism:
This is no way detracts from her achievements. Instead it demonstrates that she was passionately true to her CAUSE - to defeat the Nazis, whatever it took.....albeit via propaganda, fund raising or invention. This is a necessity in times of great adversity & peril. Few who have lived through world wars would disagree.

Technology is only an enabler utilised to achieve a HUMAN objective.
Hedy illustrates this beautifully.

Grace Murray Hopper

Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906 – January 1, 1992) was an American computer scientist and naval officer. Amost important people in the history of computers.

Quotes:

"Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, 'We've always done it this way.' I try to fight that. That's why I have a clock on my wall that runs counter-clockwise."

"We're flooding people with information. We need to feed it through a processor. A human must turn information into intelligence or knowledge. We've tended to forget that no computer will ever ask a new question."

"You manage things, you lead people. We went overboard on management and forgot about leadership. It might help if we ran the MBAs out of Washington."

Hopper retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander at the end of 1966. She was recalled to active duty in August of 1967 for a six-month period that turned into an indefinite assignment. She again retired in 1971 but was asked to return to active duty again in 1972. She was promoted to Captain in 1973 by Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr..

After Rep. Philip Crane saw her on a March 1983 segment of 60 Minutes, he championed a joint resolution in the House of Representatives which led to her promotion to Commodore by special Presidential appointment. By 1985 she became a Rear Admiral, Lower Half. She retired (involuntarily) from the Navy on August 14, 1986. At a celebration held in Boston on the USS Constitution to celebrate her retirement, Hopper was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award possible by the Department of Defense. At the moment of her retirement, she was the oldest officer in the US Navy and aboard the oldest ship in the US Navy.

Bare Unfairness

2006-08-04T00:04:00.000+10:00

Australian Senator Kate Lundy has written an insightful opinion piece on the IT Screen Goddess Calendar published in Australian MIS Magazine.

EX"IT" Why Women are Shunning the Technology Industry

2006-08-01T18:24:00.000+10:00

The title above runs as the Cover Story, and 7 page feature in the July 27 edition of BRW (Business Review Weekly, Australia) , written by Kath Walters.

This is a balanced, well researched story that restores my faith in journalistic integrity. Short on sensationalism, the article explores the reasons behind the declining female participation in technical professions, most notably within the IT sector.

Extract:

"Boring and Irrelevent" is the headline of the sub-article exploring the opinions of a Year 10 student at a Melbourne Girls School. She says,"Frankly, I have never considered a career in the IT industry because I want to do something in an area that I will enjoy. I perceive the IT industry to be dominated by men, mostly because I have never come across a female IT worker. It seems to me to be an extremely dull job, especially if you are intelligent and capable of doing something better."

"Most young women agree with this view according to a 2005 study undertaken by the James Cook University. The study involved 26 QLD highschools and 1452 girls who either did or did not choose studies of Information Technology at high school.
The Study is the first large investigation into the reasons why girls do not do IT subjects at school. The result of the study underscored the perceptions that IT is boring, irrelevent and because "girls do not like computers". It found that girls perceive IT careers as isolated, alienated from society and unhealthy because they involve "sitting in front of a computer all day". The girls mostly aspired to careers that would help change and improve society - attributes they do not associate with working in IT."

"Skilled Women Needed" is a second sub-article, exploring why Australia needs women in the ICT sector and in other professions and careers. The main points are:

"A looming skills shortage over the next 24 months, which will worsen over 5 years.
Global competition across all industries - technology is pervasive in all industries and the foundation of competitive advantage and productivity gains.
Innovation - Women approach design of technology in a different way from men, and may meet needs not being met.
The number of businesses owned and managed by women is increasing faster than the average, according to American statistics, and women are often the decision makers on home technology.
Attracting women to the industry will help arrest the exodus of young men - it is as simple as the birds and the bees
All industries are now reliant on IT - including those that usually attract women- such as fashion, communications and the arts
Women will be locked out of the fastest growing and best paid professions if they do not understand and use technology, and they can progress more quickly into more creative roles if they can understand how technology works.
The stereotype of the geeky technologist who spends all day in front of a computer is becoming redundant. The trend in the industry is towards greater use of skills in which women normally excel, such as analysis, communication and organisation.
The most senior technology roles in business - Cheif Information Officer - has, over recent years, become one that depends on the ability to communicate and negotiate with business leaders, to understand business strategy, and to plan and manage staff."

Making "IT" happen with Female Techs

2006-08-01T18:21:00.000+10:00

Popular Culture/Technology

It doesn't take long for thrid parties to create new trivia games.

Play the Ziptrivia IT Screen Goddess Calendar Trivia Game

Have fun!!

Furore over Sexy IT Calendar

2006-07-26T21:13:00.000+10:00

Not my words, but the words of TV Channel 9s "A Current Affair" - the *meat pie* of current affairs shows.

Sensational headline, but quite a balanced story with avery nice twist....

ninemsn Video: A Current Affair: Channel 9

Tech Chic

2006-07-26T01:06:00.000+10:00

August 11 IT Screen Goddess Calendar launch date is the date hedy filed her Frequency Hopping patent.
Hedy patented frequency hopping which underpins spread spectrum used in cellular networks today - she did it in WWII, whilst working as a Hollywood actress reknown as the great beauty of her day.
Hedy Lamar famously said, "Any woman can look glamorous - all she needs to do is stand stil and look stupid"

Iconic goddess Ursula , a role model for a Geek Girrrl

2006-07-23T14:51:00.003+10:00

There is much talk of *sexual* stereotypes/perpetuating myths.

In the 1960's, Australia was largely isolated from the rest of the world. The culture was markedly different to the American lifestyle - and remains so today. I grew up in Queensland country, a remote and vast land of isolation. My childhood memories are of dust, animals, performing the chores, and learning the skills of a boy . I am still a tom boy.

Queensland can be extremely hot, thus people dress accordingly. In Australia swimwear is mandatory. You will find millions of people on Australian beaches every summer. It is quite normal for any Australian to don a swimsuit and to frolic by the beach, a park, a swiming pool, a creek, or even a hose on a clothes-line (water restrictions dependant). I wonder if most Australians would view photos of a woman walking through water on a beach as degrading?. Probably not, as it is part of our national culture and identity.

Put it in perspective, a woman in a swimsuit is not a whore. Actually clothes don't make the whore - these come disguised in all manner of sizes, shapes, and styles.

It is possible that those who view the calendar images as *degrading all women* or its "models being whores" are from a more repressed culture. I respect other cultural views - it is a necessity in as multicultural a society as Australia.
While I understand that swimwear is entirely acceptable in Australia and most parts of Europe, it is not acceptable in many Muslim nations.

I'm mostly unsure about attitudes within the United states, (along with the majority of the world).

My prime motivation for doing the calendar was charity. I never thought it would be anything more than FITT and WIT in Australia selling it to members (female) and their families. None of us ever expected any controversy.

Sonja gave all the girls a set of Hollywood images from which to choose.

Why did I choose Ursula?

For a number of reasons: Given I had just returned from a beach camping holiday in Queensland, and owned a white bikini, it seemed like a logical choice. Ursula was also the closest physical match.

Thinking about it some more, I suppose my curiosity about IT really springs from watching all the early Bond movies about the gadgets and inventions. I only ever enjoyed the Sean Connery Bond movies, and of these my favorite was Dr No.

When I was a child I saw that picture of Ursula (Honey Ryder) coming out of the water and from that very moment I wanted to be an international spy - I thought Ursula Andress was the strongest, most amazing, smartest, sassiest woman in the world. In fact for me, Ursula was an inspirational alternative to the only other female role models on TV when I was a child.... "the secretary", "the shopgirl", 'the nurse" or "the house wife" stereotypes.

The Real Ursula - OMG is that a swimsuit?!! You bet it is - she HAS clothes

It is a beautiful shot of a wet cold angry woman about to kick serious ASS, striding bravely and purposefully to achieve her goal.

YES YOU CAN BE SMART AND SASSY - ITS OK!

I have never viewed her swimsuit as anything more than that. This is because young girls don't have dirty minds - they merely see a wet woman in a swimsuit. Her image didn't make me want be become an actress, go on a diet, become an anorexic alcoholic or get married in Vegas.

Instead I studied, read, immersed myself in music, lived, rode horses, played as many school sports as possible, dived and boxed because I love being empowered. And to be honest, I've never changed my view.

And whenever I see Ursula in those shots, I still find myself thinking,"U GO Grrrl!"

Of course Ursula is not in ICT. Nor is Honey Ryder a real person. But I am - a developer who loves the ICT industry.

*Me* in spoof of Honey Ryder~Dr No - spot the technology!

Whether you like it or not, beauty inspires. The images that saturate our checkout liines are mostly vapid socialites, devoid of any intellect. Many women and girls are addicted to tabloids, and aspire to the lives of the celebrities. (men are largely dis-interested.). Some of these young women may be curious enough to look at this calendar, which may sow a seed that leads to work with mobiles, gaming, video on the net, IPTV or any of the other cool technologies, as they emerge.

The variety of the models and images will hopefully resonate with a broad cross section of people.

On a closing note, each of the models involved in this project are Goddesses, not because of their physical attributes, but because of *who* they are: their passionate, conviction and quiet achievement. I was inspired when I met each of the models for the first time.

Please take the time to explore their stories, and maybe you also will feel inspired to live your dreams . These women are not only an inspiration to me, but potentially to women everywhere who believe in themselves, and will not allow themselves to be limited . These include my 22 year old daughter and all her friends!

[Geeks are Sexy] technology news: Any comment or suggestions? Leave them here!

2006-07-23T14:40:00.000+10:00

[Geeks are Sexy] technology news: Any comment or suggestions? Leave them here!
2006/7 IT Screen Goddess Calendar.

IT Screen Goddess Rant

2006-07-23T13:45:00.001+10:00

Not only does the calendar *financially support the attraction of* more women into the industry via industry recruitment programs, MORE IMPORTANTLY (to me at any rate) it supports the often isolated/dis-empowered women*already in ICT*.

IT Goddess Calendar 2007: Not for Profit Charity fundraiser to support programs for women in ICT industry. Please support. It Goddess Calendar Preview

Life Training

Career path planning
Mentoring
Networking
Study
Dev groups
Business Opportunities
Work/personal balance
Maternity support (supporting our genetic brains trust)
Flexible hours
Social networks
Remote access
Training for individual enterprise bargaining
Corporate survival skills.....I'm sure you can all relate to this one

Options

I see Calendar being about providing OPTIONS. Recipients includes women who *need/want* to be supported ~ however this in turn provides opportunities to all women [and thus people].

Where are all the good girls going, going,,,,,, GONE?

I for one can no longer sit back and watch any more of the most talented, professional, amazing, and (dare I say) *superior human* female colleagues continue to fall out of IT.

Glass Ceiling or through the Looking Glass?

Just prior to falling out, these women often feel undervalued, unrecognised. They always leave holes so much larger than the space everyone thought they filled ~ replaced more often than not with some average to low quality DRONE.

Is that a shard in your eye or is it superglue?
Women are often the glue of IT enterprise; communication hubs, translaters, human interfaces - so much more than *just* their *job*.

Is that why they are glued to their role, finding it difficult to advance ~ because too often they are irreplaceable?

Soft Skills are for pussies & some members of the Homo Sapien species (but not for techies!!) :P

Is this a soft skill? Who cares? Are soft skills some kind of heinous crime?

These skills are what are required to be human/humane. A pre-requisite for empathy. An innate understanding of User/techncal requirements to deliver user/technical interfaces that HUMANS will use!

This is the reality of the ICT industry. It is much broader than *just* technical, and so much more than *just* "marketing". I always view myself as some hybrid catalyst that perceives and analyses systems, develops strategies and translating details into actions. Then, along with my team, I roll up my sleeves, we have some fun to remind ourselves we're friends, then throw ourselves into IT and Get IT Done .

Personal Choice

Being a senior executive (of an entity owned by a public company), I had to carefully consider and workshop the decision to appear in this calendar with my colleagues for 9 months, and only gave my permission 1 month ago. All my family, friends and colleagues (encompassing a broad based population group) have supported me throughout.

Happily married to a wonderful, warm, heroic, funny, sane man; and deeply proud of my daughter & granddaughter, I've reached a point in my life where I've made my share of mistakes and *learned the hard way*. While I've had little in the way of support in my career, I wish for a easier route for those who follow. IT doesn't have to be difficult.

I'm supportive of any charitable endeavour that at some point in the future can help provide young people with greater options.

So much more than IT

I am NOT ONLY a woman with a passion for ICT (I LIVE IT). I'm also [for example] a woman who loves getting away: snow skiing or camping, swimming and fishing lost somewhere on beaches with a 4WD, a tent, a towel, some walking shoes, and three pairs of bikinis. I'm a strong woman. I'm a do-er. I'm nobodies fool. I'm curious. I need to know the how and why of everything. I have an absolute belief in myself that I can achieve all my goals.

4Grrrl: Proud to be KickAss

I have a tendency to be quite idealistic (Platonic), however I strive to balance this with pragmatism (skepticism rather than cynicism/negativity).

The commercial reality is that in order to most effectively enable women with information and options, co-ordinated programs must be funded, and governments don't pay for it. Grants for worthwhile projects that support women will be available if we can give charitable endeavours such as these our financial support.

Personal rant ends

Personal stuff aside now, this is not about *me*; or any other individual involved in this initiative. This is about putting a spotlight on the industry, extracting the individual issues that (often isolated) women face, and looking for solutions.

Time to build bridges

Now its time to hear the stories of women who want support. That's when the real work starts. This calendar is the kickstart.

Anyone that can support the initiative has my support reciprocated.

Sharon Don IT Goddess Calendar girl