Marie Curie, Dorothy Hodgkin, Maria Goeppert-Mayer, Claudia Goldin: do you know what these women have in common? They all contributed to science, received the Nobel Prize, and, of course, were once girls!
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on February 11th, we are invited to reflect on the participation and representation of women around the world. Created in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, the date is celebrated annually with the support of UNESCO and UN Women.
This is a necessary subject, as the importance of female leadership in science offers new perspectives and builds a more equitable and just future for all people. And would there be anything better than living in a world where we were seen under the same perspective?
In this article, we bring the contribution of Betty Chu, our Head of Data & Linguistics, to talk about the challenges faced and achievements made during her professional career — and, of course, to talk about digital accessibility. Keep reading!
The representative date leads us to reflection: are we encouraging our girls to dream of a scientific career?
While they get toys like little pans and dolls, boys tend to receive more scientific toys. This gesture, which seems simple but full of meaning, reflects how girls are driven away from science from childhood, starting at home. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage their curiosity!
“When I was a girl, I was very curious. I was that kid who took apart the drill and the television, you know?” – Betty Chu about her childhood.
According to UNESCO, women represent only 33.3% of global researchers and 35% of students in STEM (acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
“In the college I attended (Bachelor of Statistics at USP, the State University of São Paulo), I was one of the only women in the class” – says Betty, about her higher education.
Companies, as agents of change in society, have a fundamental role in this transformation. Some actions can be taken to balance this proportion, such as:
Showing a little bit of our backstage and introducing who makes things happen around here, how about getting to know a real testimony, from a woman who not only works with technology, but is also Head of Data & Linguistics in one of the biggest references in digital accessibility in the world? Check it out now!
HT (Hand Talk) — Hello, Betty! Can you tell us a little about your journey in technology?
BC (Betty Chu) — Hello! Sure, with pleasure. I spent a large part of my career working in a bank, applying my knowledge in mathematics and statistics within the Information Technology area.
At the time, I programmed and made models, working in the area that today they call Machine Learning.
I started working with data in a Central Bank audit project, where I was the only woman among 4 other professionals. It was the desire to do the right thing [and to deliver a good job] that made me blaze trails for this area. And it was a great choice, because, today, the data market is expanding!
HT — And how do you see the relationship between what you do today and digital accessibility?
BC — Back in college, I thought I would only see artificial intelligence working in 30 years, and today I work with it every day. This enchants me!
Technology is fantastic and can connect many people. Our Hand Talk App, for example, eliminates communication barriers, also being a support for students and enthusiasts of Libras and ASL to connect more and more to the deaf universe.
And as for our Hand Talk Plugin, it is the representation of how technology is not a segregator, but rather a tool for inclusion.
HT — And when you were a child, did you think about pursuing a career in technology?
BC — Much due to the lack of references of other women, and for family issues, I chose a career in administration and regretted it in the first semester (laughs).
I managed to convince my parents to take the college entrance exam again and I entered the Bachelor of Statistics at IME at USP. Even so, they thought I would be a math teacher. Nowadays, I don’t see myself doing anything else.
HT — As a woman, have you faced any challenges in this predominantly male field?
BC — Yes. Before Hand Talk, I was always a minority, even as a leader. I was often mistaken for a secretary, asking “is the person in charge of the data coming?” and I would answer “yes, it’s me.”
HT — Last but not least: what would you say to a young woman who wants to pursue a career in technology but has doubts about her ability?
BC — I would say “Go ahead and don’t give up. It’s your career, your life. We need more women in technology, more points of view and ways of thinking, because diversity always enriches a lot.
Throughout history, many women have made incredible contributions, but many have not been recognized. We need to keep fighting for our legacy to finally be valued.”
This article was translated by artificial intelligence and reviewed by humans.
