TED talk: Why do Ambitious Women Have Flat Heads?

Women have always been limited by patriarchal oppression. As of late, both men and women are working to change this, but the past cannot be forgotten. 

If you're interested in listening to Stephanie Shirley, one of the most successful tech entrepreneurs, talk about this topic, please feel free to click on this link to her TED talk.

In case you haven't ever heard of a TED talk, here's a quick update:
The TED website hosts people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, careers, and talents in order to bring "ideas worth spreading" available for public access. The website is free to use and is basically just the Youtube of motivational and information speaking. If you have a favorite topic or person, chances are you'll find a TED talk about that topic or by that person. New people are being invited to give TED talks constantly, so check the website often for updates!

Now, to refer back to the title, "Why do Ambitious Women Have Flat Heads?" It may seem like an ordinary blonde joke or something related, but it is, in fact, the basis for the entirety of Shirley's speech.

Image Source: https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/support-women-in-tech/

Many women over the years have been limited by society and gender roles. Ever since women began putting their work into the public, it has been common to change first names in order to appear masculine. Stephanie Shirley, also known as Steve Shirley, was one of these women that used the system to her advantage. She took on a masculine name in order to be allowed to lecture but also to help the image of her company.

Not only did Stephanie Shirley work to better her own future, but she also worked with other women to support and build theirs. In fact, she built her own software houses that specifically hired women. When I say women I mean she hired ALL women: gay women, transgender women, and cis females, aka biologically born women. (To understand more about LGBTQ+ terms, click here).

Shirley most often ended up working with women who needed to work at home after a career break from marriage or giving birth. They sold programming to NATO and had many other successes over the years.

Their female success was brought to a halt, however, when the 1975 Equal Opportunities Legislation illegalized pro-female policies, which forced Shirley to begin hiring more men. (She had a few prior to the legislation passing, but the company was mainly comprised of women).

Eventually, the company became valued at over $3 billion, which finally made male-run companies start to show slight respect for what Shirley and the numerous other women had built over the years.

"You can always tell ambitious women by the shape of our heads. They're flat on top from being patted patronizingly. And we have larger feet to stand away from the kitchen sink."

Sure, it's a joke, but it speaks volumes about how much harder women have to work to be taken seriously. Luckily, Shirley helped forge that path for women in tech, but also women specifically in the production side of gaming.

If there is anything to take from her TED talk or from this post, Shirley says that there are two rules to success:

1. Surround yourself with first-class people and people that you like

2. Choose your partner very carefully

The second piece of advice is just as important as the first, but I'll let you watch the TED talk to understand what she means.

Either way, for women, often making "it" happen, whatever "it" is, is quite difficult. Surround yourself with supportive people and choose those you trust wisely. Also, if you want to go into tech, or even gaming, make it happen. You can.