On International Women’s Day, March 8, Latinas in Tech launched a new chapter in Philadelphia.
The prominent nonprofit organization aims to create a tech industry in which Latinas are well-represented throughout all levels of the ecosystem by providing resources, opportunities, and community so that Latinas are empowered to be innovators and leaders within the tech industry.
For Amaris Hernandez Padgett, a founding member of the new chapter, said the launch is a special moment for her given how underrepresented Latinas are in the field.
“I went to Drexel University … and at the time, I could count on one hand how many Latinas were in my IT program — not class — IT program,” she said.
The new chapter launch is a way to bring more Latina women together to build a community that helps bridge the gap to the challenges that are facing women and Latinas in the field.
Councilmember Rue Landau is one of the biggest supporters of the chapter launch. She is also the chair of the Committee on Technology and Information Services.
She sees great value in organizations like Latinas in Tech.
“Because you actually find your people, you find your support group, you actually have other people where you can lean on, that you can talk to, you can find ways in which you can get the support to advance,” said Landau.
Ultimately, it’s more than just having a seat at the table.
“It is not enough to just be in an advisory role for other people or to be in supportive roles,” she added. “You need to have leadership roles in every single industry that you’re in.”
To close her remarks, Landau read a citation to celebrate the launch of the chapter, signed by her, Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
The new Philadelphia chapter of Latinas in Tech was supported by organizations, such as Tribaja and 1Philadelphia.
The tech industry is evolving rapidly. As a result, the need for diverse individuals with diverse ideas are needed more than ever.
Shannon Morales, an Afro-Latina tech influencer who founded Tribaja, did so with that in mind.
“I think we very often find ourselves asking, ‘how can we fit into corporate work environments when the families that we have may not have necessarily been in corporate work environments,’” she said.
Tribaja is about building support, creating more access, and providing a safe space.
“[Tech] influences every single industry that we touch, whether it’s government, music, healthcare,” Morales added. “So, we essentially need to find ourselves in these places.”
All in all, the members of the Latinas in Tech Philly chapter hope to reshape the tech landscape by ensuring Latinas have an avenue to both enter and flourish within the industry.
“We want to work on building a community of Latinas in tech who thrive because we are such a small percentage of that sector,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, a founding member of the new Philly chapter.
“Since it can be a really lonely place, we want to make sure that Latinas see this as an option for themselves. We dare to dream big and believe in connecting, supporting, and empowering Latina women in tech,” she added.
Philadelphia is now the 24th chapter of the Latinas in Tech organization.
Read more about Latinas in Tech and how it creates a community for more diversity in the growing tech landscape on its website.
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