Women Who Codes Shuts Down, Atlanta Members Determined To Carry On Legacy
Notable international tech community, Women Who Code (WWC), announced the abrupt end of its operations last week. The organization, which has its roots in San Francisco, and later shifted base to Atlanta, was known for its efforts in increasing women participation in the technology sector.
Noteworthy Contributions and Sudden Dissolution
Begun by a group of engineers in 2011, the WWC aimed at edging more women into the tech community. A significant partnership with The Home Depot witnessed the WWC shifting its base from San Francisco to Atlanta in late 2018. The organization has made commendable strides over the years, with a record of 20,000 community-led events, $3.5 million in scholarships, and a job board accommodating over 14,000 opportunities. Many women have found the platform a place to secure career and leadership training to penetrate tech roles.
The hints of closure came as a surprise to many, given the organization’s significant role in fostering women’s roles in tech-related positions. WWC’s Board of Directors dissolution decision on April 18 was credited to “factors that have materially impacted our funding sources,” according to a press statement. The previously thriving tech organization, in the year 2022, reported a revenue of $3.99 million juxtaposed against total expenses amounting to $4.18 million.
Local Chapter Co-founder Reflects on the Closure
Erica Stanley, a co-founder of the Atlanta chapter of WWC, expressed shock at the decision, citing that local leaders were not briefed about the board’s plan beforehand. The abruptness of the decision, compounded with the absence of any transition plan, has left city leaders with the task of determining subsequent steps to continue supporting community members.
WWC’s Local Influence and Legacy
Since joining the organization in 2013, Stanley played a pivotal role in swelling the Atlanta’s membership base to 5,000. An early partnership with ThoughtWorks was lauded for the local growth witnessed by the organization. The local chapter is lauded for organizing developer workshops, initiating the city’s first women’s only hackathons, and holding the We Rise tech conference in 2017 and 2018. These initiatives laid the groundwork for REFACTR TECH.
Without a defined plan from the organization’s management, Stanley and her Atlanta team are now strategizing on how to maintain their support for women technologists, engineers, and developers. Stanley however, remains optimistic and reassures that energy will be channeled into bolstering local organizations, including REFACTR TECH and Women Techmakers.
“People are trying to figure out what’s next. They don’t want to stop building the impact that they’ve built within their communities,” Stanley added.
While WWC may have unfortunately closed its operations, the legacy it leaves behind in the tech community is far from over. The efforts and achievements cultivated by this organization have inspired many women to step into the tech industry, and it is clear that the Atlanta members intend to carry on this legacy.
