Systers

Systers. It is one of the oldest and largest electronic mailing lists dedicated to supporting women in technical computing fields. Founded by renowned computer scientist Anita Borg, the community emerged from a conversation at the 1987 USENIX Symposium and has since grown into a cornerstone of the women in technology movement. Systers provides a private, moderated forum for discussion, mentorship, and professional support, operating under the umbrella of the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology.

History and founding

The concept for the community originated in 1987 during a hallway conversation at the USENIX conference in Phoenix, Arizona, where Anita Borg and a small group of female systems researchers noted their isolation. Borg, then a researcher at Digital Equipment Corporation, established the electronic mailing list later that year to create a digital space for these women to connect. Its early membership consisted primarily of women working on operating systems and systems research in academia and industry labs like the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. The community's growth paralleled the expansion of the internet, and it became a foundational project of the Institute for Women and Technology, which Borg co-founded with Telle Whitney in 1997.

Purpose and mission

The primary purpose is to create a safe, confidential environment for women in computing to seek advice, share experiences, and discuss technical and career challenges. Its mission is to increase the representation and impact of women in all fields of technology, particularly within the realms of systems engineering, computer science, and software development. By fostering a culture of mutual support, it aims to combat the professional isolation often reported by women in these male-dominated fields and to provide a platform for advocating for systemic change within the tech industry.

Membership and community

Membership is restricted to women involved in the technical aspects of computing, a criterion maintained to preserve the focus and safety of the forum. The community has grown from a few dozen pioneers to thousands of members spanning six continents, including professionals from major corporations like Google, Microsoft, and IBM, as well as researchers from institutions such as MIT and Stanford University. Admission is managed through a vetting process to ensure alignment with the community's goals, and all discussions are moderated to maintain a respectful, supportive, and confidential atmosphere, governed by a strict code of conduct.

Activities and programs

Core activities revolve around the moderated mailing list, where members engage in discussions ranging from technical problem-solving and job postings to navigating workplace discrimination. Beyond the list, the community has inspired and supported numerous initiatives, including the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, which was co-founded by Anita Borg and Telle Whitney. It also serves as an incubator for regional chapters and special interest groups, and members frequently collaborate on research, author papers for conferences like SIGCOMM and SOSP, and participate in advocacy efforts for policies promoting diversity in STEM fields.

Impact and recognition

The community has had a profound impact on the landscape for women in computing, providing mentorship that has shaped the careers of generations of technologists. Its model of a private, supportive network has been studied and emulated by other diversity initiatives within the tech sector. For her work in founding it, Anita Borg received significant recognition, including the Augusta Ada Lovelace Award from the Association for Women in Computing. The community's legacy is carried forward by AnitaB.org, which continues to manage the list and champion its original vision of creating a more inclusive and equitable technology industry.

Category:Women's professional networks Category:Computer science organizations Category:Anita Borg