Why women in tech should choose the Central Valley instead of Silicon Valley

Last week, Newsweek published an article about Silicon Valley’s treatment of women. It got a lot of attention, mostly for its cover, which some said was part of the problem, and others said was an accurate depiction of the way women in tech are treated.

The article, which you should read, is a horrifying account of the misogynistic shitshow that is currently the male-centric world of tech. None of it is surprising. None of it is news.

Women in Silicon Valley are treated either as objects or as non-entities. It’s disappointing, and it needs to change, and frankly it’s exhausting just thinking about it.

Screw Silicon Valley

Last week, another piece of media was published that got far less attention than the Newsweek article. It was written by my boss, Irma Olguin, CTO of Bitwise Industries, and her partner, Jake Soberal, CEO.

“This is How You Transform Fresno’s Economy” is a plan for fixing a region, but it’s more than that. It’s a plan for including in technology those who aren’t necessarily welcome in northern California.

It’s no accident the letter makes sure to use the pronoun “she” when talking about future technologists. It’s because women are welcome here in the Central Valley.

A woman co-founded the technologist school Geekwise Academy. Women are enrolled in classes there. Women graduate from the Academy and find jobs in the tech field. And women start their own damn tech companies.

While some men are elevating frat boy culture to a disgusting art form 200 miles to the north, women are simply doing what they love here in the Central Valley, alongside men who are just fine with that.

Viva La Central Valley

Silicon Valley needs to change its attitude toward women, and that’s a fight worth fighting.

But if you’d rather fight guerrilla-style, by simply doing your thing outside of Silicon Valley, think about the Central Valley. I’m talking to anybody of any gender whose stomach is turned by the goings-on of the tech scene up north.

A successful startup can be created anywhere, according to Inc. So why not here?

Fresno may not have as many overnight millionaires as Silicon Valley. But it also has a lot fewer sexist buttholes.

And that’s definitely worth thinking about.