In a rousing speech, Silicon Republic CEO Ann O’Dea inspired an audience of almost 100 teenage girls by introducing them to a long list of high-achieving STEM role models.
Speaking at the Girls Hack Ireland event in Dublin City University (DCU) last weekend, O’Dea presented the audience with a varied list of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), demonstrating the wide range of careers and vocations on offer in these fields.
“The possibilities are massive. Don’t be fooled thinking scientists are in white coats and technologists are in labs,” she assured.
Volunteer for Inspirefest 2015
O’Dea also took the opportunity announce a range of free workshops taking place during Inspirefest 2015, a two-day international event that will bring these female leaders and many more to Dublin this summer.
On Saturday 20 June, the fringe festival in Merrion Square will host its own Girls Hack Ireland hackathon, as well as coding sessions for adults and kids from groups such as CoderDojo and Coding Grace.
Young women aged 18 or over – and anyone eager to find new perspectives on innovation, leadership and success – are encouraged to apply as volunteers for the event via the website. Apart from being an important cog in the running of a unique international event, all Inspirefest volunteers will be provided with access to world-class talks, sessions and fringe entertainment where possible.
A world designed by men only?
At the close of her address, O’Dea expressed her personal wishes to inspire young women to engage with STEM.
“When I’m old and grey, I really would like to think that the software I’m using, the websites I’m on, the med-tech that is helping me age gracefully and comfortably – I really do hope that a lot of it is going to be designed by some of the women here in the room. It would be a shame if we had a world designed by men only (much and all as we love them),” she said.
Inspirefest 2015 is Silicon Republic’s international sci-tech event running 18-19 June in Dublin, connecting professionals passionate about the future of STEM with fresh perspectives on leadership, innovation and diversity. Buy your early bird tickets now! Get in early and grab the ‘Two-for-one’ tickets before the end of March. You don’t want to miss this!
