Ada Lovelace Day is an international day of blogging to draw attention to women excelling in technology.

I was supposed to blog about one person in particular, but I just don't have the heart or energy for writing lately, so I'll post something very general. There are of course lot's of great smart, hardworking people in technology who happen to be women.

When I think of today, I think of a good friend, Joni, who is a über-smart programmer who always seems to know whatever I'm talking about, whatever new trendy bit of knowledge I pick up, she nods her head with a little knowing smile, and I realize how inferior I am. She knows SOOOOO much more, that my little try at one-ups-man-ship is just pathetic. ;). Quiet as she is, she is a intellectual powerhouse, who I'm proud to call a friend.

There's Crystal, who leads the way in a certain open source technology, a great organizer, with a constant positive attitude and lot's of energy.

There was Evelyn, the sys admin I dealt with on a daily basis, who was always extremely professional, calm, and courteous despite my panicky phone calls.

My experience in web development/technology environments has seen heavy domination by young males with poor social skills, and very sexist and homophobic attitudes. This was never so prevalent with the first time I went to E3 where the shameless use "booth babes" to "appeal" to the young (and/or dumb) male attitudes made me extremely uncomfortable. Why is/was this necessary?

We need a more balanced work force in web development and would encourage any woman interested in technology to PLEASE come aboard. There ARE men like us who just want smart, professional people in our industry regardless of gender, race, sexuality, etc.