Adversity as Rocket Fuel, Today and Always
Over the last few weeks, I’ve talked to so many women throughout tech about how they’re navigating this unprecedented time. A lot of them are doing their jobs at home while also teaching their children everything from the ABCs and 123s to world history and geography. Some of them are still going into the office, as their work is considered essential work. Some of them have lost their jobs. And some of them are sick.
I’m finding what we all have in common now is what we’ve always had in common — resilience.
I spoke to one of the women featured in the Chasing Grace Project this week. Within two minutes of our hello’s and how are you’s, she was telling me about the silver lining in all of this. That’s where she started. She started with optimism and gratitude.
As our conversation moved on, I heard some of the pains of this moment, from managing her two-year-old while working to make sure Americans are connected via broadband networks to traveling to be with her sister who is pregnant. Of course, her silver lining was the work she is doing to support others while we navigate this time, both in terms of her contribution and her privilege to have work to do in the first place. I love that her silver lining is her contribution to the technology that is essential right now for community and connection.
I’ve had women in my community invite me to virtual happy hours and offer to help me. I’ve sent women handwritten notes through the mail to connect and to lift spirits while we’re away from each other in body — but not in spirit. And I’ve received heartfelt messages of hope and support. I’m finding this beautiful, virtuous circle of generosity and support.
Like everyone, I’ve been asking myself and others: “What else can I do? How can I help?” I’m finding both big and small opportunities to support others, like sharing recipes and how to make leftovers last and making job recommendations and referrals for friends who are looking for work. Also, earlier this week I was able to make the announcement that we’ll share the Chasing Grace Project episodes online for the first time — for anyone, anywhere, to see — for free. While we may not be able to see you at a screening event in St. Louis or New York, Denver or San Francisco, we will see you at a screening event in your home office, living room, basement or — maybe even in your garden. My garden is my favorite locale for my morning coffee and evening cocktail.
We need community more now than ever. And for so many of us our work is where we find that community. The women in tech community reminds me of the open source community, where I’ve spent so much of my career. No matter where we are around the world or what company we’re working for, our community remains.
We are part of a worldwide network of women who have contributed to the advancement of the very technologies we are depending on now more than ever. Women who created, built or deployed those technologies. Women who marketed or promoted those technologies. Maybe they did it yesterday, maybe a decade ago. Maybe it’s what they’re doing right now or are plotting to do tomorrow. It doesn’t matter, because today, in this moment, we are one. What one of us is building, we are all building. For each other, because of each other.
The narrative arc in each Chasing Grace Project episode is one that explores both adversity and resilience, because they often go together. Adversity is like rocket fuel: Women don’t just face adversity and keep doing the same old things. It is often that adversity that sends them on a path of awakening, exploration and creation. The women I know have faced challenges before, challenges that result in invention, entrepreneurship and so much more. They’re building the future and nurturing each other along the way. That remains truer than ever.
