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Rebecca Mbaya's avatar

Oh Karen! You hit the nail on the head with this one so hard, it echoed.

In my own experience with the TAIS interviews, I’ve had so many women decline. The reasons were mostly personal: “My head’s not in the right space,” or “I don’t think I’m the right person for this.” Others initially responded positively, then ghosted me 😅. But men? Not a single no. Some asked me to circle back in a few weeks, but they were definitely on board from the get-go.

It’s made me ask the same questions you’re asking and also forced me to look inward.

Where I’m from, a woman openly owning her strengths and telling her story can easily be labeled as proud or too assertive. There’s this unspoken expectation that you should downplay your worth, wait to be begged, or be asked twice before accepting an opportunity. I’ve been working hard to unlearn that, but it’s a real battle.

So what do we do? I think we keep pushing gently, consistently.

I remember one of my TAIS guests who was hesitant and said she didn’t feel “qualified.” I told her that as a grown woman, I’m genuinely inspired by her journey. In my context, she works in a male-dominated space and simply showing up as she is would inspire so many young minds. Only after that did she agree.

We have a long way to go, but we will get there.

And you, Karen, are doing such important work in helping us move forward. Please don’t stop.

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Jax's avatar

Great article, ask and I really like the way you share your insights.

I've been trying to "play bigger" in the past few years to get beyond that gender-typing thing that goes so deep. It means that I'm more likely to say "yes" if invited, I am not overcommitted and if it matches my goals. But then, I still think I need an invite.

It would be super difficult for me to see an open invite and then "invite myself" even still. And I'm not too shy. (As you know cos you've interviewed me).

You make it super clear and easy to go on your podcast. So I don't think that's a blocker.

If people are indeed like me and need to be invited, then maybe it's about being nominated by a friend.

I will always now send someone who I think has something to offer on AI or data - straight to you because a) it's a good experience and b) we need all our voices in all our diversity out there.

We mustn't let the monoculture win!

We all have something to add. Thanks Karen!

Best, Jax

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