Growing up, girls see the world around them and learn from it. They see what they can do, what they can become. If they only see men in tech, they’re going to assume men are the only people allowed in tech. But, with just a few positive role models and classes, we level the playing field.
I still remember as a kid seeing the girl in Jurassic Park save the day with her computer skills. That was a formative moment for me. The girl was the techie. It helped push me into tech many years later. I knew from a young age that girls could be techie geeks too, and that enabled me to be whoever I wanted to be. As it turns out, a techie geek.
Apple’s programs aren’t just targeting young girls though. Not only is it never to late to learn to code, and anyone can benefit from learning some code, but it also helps celebrate the achievements of women. Women have been left out of history books, with authors crediting their male peers or husbands for their discoveries for centuries. Sessions that show the creativity and innovations of women help correct the misconception that women don’t create great things.
Here’s everything Apple’s doing for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
In This Article:
Girls Who Code Partnership
One of they ways to do that is just to teach girls about tech. Make it less esoteric. It’s far more difficult to perpetuate stereotypes when the girls on the receiving end of them know you’re full of it.
That’s why Apple’s partnering with a popular nonprofit trying to help girls learn about tech, despite societal expectations holding them back. Girls Who Code regularly helps pair girls with experienced instructors to learn about software development. With learning and reinforcement that we can challenge gender stereotypes, more girls are sticking with tech and entering the workforce. There, they face the many challenges of being a woman in tech, but it’s a good first step. Tackling the “pipeline problem” is only one part of the solution, but it’s a significant one.
International Women’s Day Sessions
Made by Women will highlight the creations of women. From art to apps, women will speak about their work, offer performances, and share what they do and how they got to where they are. The sessions will be in select stores in cities all over the world, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Monica, London, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Milan, and even Dubai. Check Apple’s site to find a women’s day session by you, or, check out this convenient list compiled by 9to5Mac. I’ve included their list below.
Apple Union Square, San Francisco
- March 6th – Design Lab: Mapping Your Best Life with Zakiya Harris
- March 7th – Design Lab: Framing and Recording History with CCA
- March 9th – Music Lab: Songwriting Essentials with Jaylen Green
Apple Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
- March 9th – Photo Lab: Taking Authentic Portraits with Zorah Olivia
- March 9th – Photo Walk: Exploring Alternate Histories with Maj Hasager
Apple Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Apple Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- March 6th – Music Lab: Creating Beats and Mixtapes with DJ Olivia Dope
- March 7th – Music Lab: Producing and Remixing Tracks with DJ Miss Milan
Apple Regent Street, London
- March 5th – Video Lab: Music Video Trailers with Shan Brown
- March 6th – Exclusive: Powering Diversity with The Other Box
- March 7th – Video Lab: Inspiring Women on Film with Eloise King
- March 8th – Exclusive: Poems and Positivity with Telixia Inico
Apple Covent Garden, London
- March 4th – Exclusive: Shaping a Sound with Serine Karthage
- March 5th – Art Lab: Gender-Neutral Portraits with He.She.They.
- March 6th – Video Lab: Crafting Showreels with Fenn O’Meally
- March 7th – Exclusive: Finding Your Voice with Julie Adenuga
- March 8th – Music Lab: Craft a Compelling Track with Phildel
Apple Champs-Élysées, Paris
- March 5th – Art and Design Lab: Offset Drawings with Anna Wanda Gogusey
- March 6th – Video Lab: Creating Visual Effects with Diane Sagnier
- March 7th – Photo Lab: Portraits in B&W with Charlotte Deregnieaux
- March 10th – Music Walk: Your Urban Soundtrack with Inès Mélia
Apple Piazza Liberty, Milan
Apple Orchard Road, Singapore
- March 8th – App Lab: Design an App with Homage
- March 9th – Art Lab: Translating Emotions into Art with Marina A
- March 10th – Coding Lab for Kids: The Power of Code with Steph Law
Apple Dubai Mall, Dubai
- March 1st – Art Lab: Animation Techniques with Mouza Al Hamrani
- March 2nd – Music Lab: Songwriting with Shébani
- March 5th – Exclusive: Diverse Expressions with Female First Sessions
- March 9th – Exclusive: Live Podcast with When Women Win
Apple Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
App Store Promotions
What Apple’s Not Doing
I figured this would be a great place to remind you that, despite sitting on the decision for weeks, and despite the fact that it breaks the App Store’s rules against inciting violence, Apple still allows the Absher app on the App Store. This is the app that allows men in Saudi Arabia to control every aspect of women’s lives, including their ability to travel. They can get alerts when women try to travel, and block their passport from their home in a tap. Just as easy it is for you to retweet something, they can oppress women, thanks to Apple’s help.
Just a good reminder that, when it comes to actually standing up for women, Apple takes a seat in the back.
There’s Good
The fact that Apple’s still doing wrong by women does not diminish from the good these programs do. Girls can still learn to write Swift, the primary coding language for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. People can still learn about the contributions women have made in art, science, and technology. They can still find excellent apps made by women. Apple doesn’t have to be perfect to do good. That’s certainly a lesson for all of us.
Sources:
- Apple, [2]
- Roger Fingas, AppleInsider
- Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac
- Joe Rossignol, MacRumors
- Reshma Saujani, Ayah Bdeir, BuzzFeed News
- Michael Steeber, 9to5Mac