Today was a landmark day for Silicon Republic with the launch of our year-long campaign to highlight the role that women play in the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths, and to inspire more to follow in their footsteps.
Women Invent Tomorrow was officially announced by Silicon Republic CEO and editor-at-large Ann O’Dea this morning in Dublin’s RDS at Accenture Ireland’s annual International Women’s Day (IWD) event.
Early this morning a crowd of mostly women, but also a good showing of men, gathered in the RDS concert hall ready for a positive start to IWD 2013. Following introductions by Accenture Ireland managing director Mark Ryan and Paula Neary, client director of Accenture Health and Public Service, the first panel of the day was under way.
The topic was ‘Let’s Get Digital’ and digital marketing expert Krishna De, Emer Coleman from UK government digital services, RTÉ Digital’s MD Múirne Laffan, AIB COO Anne Boden and (token male) CoderDojo founder James Whelton held a lively discussion on the role digital technology plays in achieving success, chaired by Hilary O’Meara, head of technology for Accenture Ireland.
In what is an all-too rare occurrence, prominent females in technology (and Whelton) were on stage to talk about technology, not just women in technology, and the ideas generated set the room, and Twitter, abuzz.
It was after this sparkling discussion that O’Dea took to the stage to introduce the crowd to Women Invent Tomorrow, in partnership with Accenture Ireland, Intel and the Irish Research Council, and put the call out for inspiring women in the fields of STEM to contact Silicon Republic via email or Twitter.
Silicon Republic CEO launches Women Invent Tomorrow
Following the announcement was a brief word from Sonya Lennon, who heads up the Dublin branch of Dress for Success, who stayed on for a second panel delving into the secrets of success. This discussion, chaired by broadcaster Claire Byrne, also involved Josephine Feehily, chair of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners; Cathriona Hallahan, newly appointed MD of Microsoft Ireland; nanoscientist and Rose of Tralee winner Arlene O’Neill; and retired politician Mary O’Rourke.
Check back with Siliconrepublic.com on Monday for a full report from today’s event, including video footage of the thought-provoking panel discussions.
Women Invent Tomorrow is Silicon Republic’s year-long campaign to champion the role of women in science, technology, engineering and maths
