Web site gets girls geared toward tech
GirlGeeks.com, a career training and mentoring Web site for women, launches a Webcast chat from San Francisco for "Take Our Daughters to Work Day."
"The theme of the day is getting girls into tech, so what we're trying to do is actually use technology to let them know the different jobs available in the field," said Kristine Hanna, co-founder of GirlGeeks.
Hanna said that even though "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" is in its eighth year, and although 56 million people participate, many companies still do not have programs set up. The live chat event will allow them to participate with other women across the nation.
Peter Crosby, also a co-founder of GirlGeeks, says the event is unique because it lasts for six hours and features top women in computing, including technology workers, high-level executives and political figures, such as California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and San Francisco Supervisor Leslie Katz.
"It's a great celebration of role models, so moms and dads who bring their daughters to work will have something to show," Crosby said.
Through the use of broadband technology, GirlGeeks is providing programs throughout the day. In addition to the live video feeds, Crosby said the site will provide an interactive Webcast in which viewers can respond to polls--including one regarding privacy--in real time.
Crosby said that GirlGeeks did a limited version of the Webcast last year, but because the event will be longer and more people are involved, the site expects to double its traffic.
"We tripled our server capacity for the event," Crosby said.
The Webcast is available free by registration through GirlGeeks' Web site and will be moderated by Moira Gunn, a former NASA scientist and host of National Public Radio's "Tech Nation."