The Philly chapter of Lesbians who Tech — an international association of tech-minded queer women — officially got off the ground last month.
The organization has two-dozen chapters around the world. It provides social networks for women who work in the tech industry, and promotes LGBT representation in the field, with its local chapters working to mobilize attendance at the annual Tech & Innovation Summit, held in New York City.
“The goal of Lesbians who Tech in general is to create a group of like-minded individuals who show an interest in the tech field and bring them all together at this annual summit, where they have speakers and activities,” said CJ Bachmann, city director for Philly’s chapter.
Bachmann, vice president of operations at Bristol-based 1SEO, said she and her wife, the COO of the company, came upon Lesbians who Tech while looking to expand their professional network.
“My partner and I were looking for new trade shows, conferences, things like that to get involved in. The owner, who happens to be my partner’s brother, has always tried to point us in the direction of niche groups because with us being lesbians, he saw an opportunity there,” she said. “So we found out about the New York Summit and got more information and saw that there was no Philadelphia chapter.”
Bachmann reached out to the organization’s founder, Leanne Pittsford, who subsequently suggested Bachmann head up an inaugural Philly chapter as its director.
The group held its first happy-hour social May 28 at Pennsylvania 6, with about two-dozen participants.
“It went really well,” Bachmann said. “I spoke with a handful of women there who are going to be attending the summit and everyone there was interested in making sure we had another local event set up.”
Happy hours and other speaking engagements will likely be held every other month, Bachmann said, though the chapter is working to push the next event up to June.
The social aspect of the chapter, she noted, is important to ensuring the members have a support network.
“We want to give our members opportunities to share their experiences with like-minded individuals, and feel connected to this wider group of women that you can lean on and learn from,” Bachmann said.
The summit will be held Oct. 1-4 in New York. For more information, visit www.lesbianswhotech.org or email Bachmann at [email protected].