Introducing the Vietnamese Women in Computing

One of our most recent additions to the Systers' Affinity Communities, Vietnamese Women in Computing will make their first appearance as an affinity group at this year's Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing next week!

Started by Sophia Ngo and Anh Tu Quach, when Sophia was inspired by the work of other infinity groups at GHC14.  Sophia had heard about Anh, and kept trying to meet her in person, but alas, as is typical of any GHC - their schedules were so booked they couldn't find a moment to meet.  Not letting that hold them back, they worked together virtually over the last year to bring VietWiC into existence!

Sophia had long ago wanted to be an engineer, but fell off of the technical path and instead got a degree in psychology, with a minor in information systems. After seeing the inspirational Duy-Loan Le at the GHC10 keynote - Sophia knew her path was set! Now she is currently enrolled in a master's program at San Jose State, and is moving full steam ahead in a technical career.

Anh, who works at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, earned her B.S.C.S from the University of the Pacific, then several years later her M.B.A. from CSU Stanislaus while working fulltime and raising two children under the age of six. In 2012, Anh embraced the challenge of becoming a manager while pregnant with her third child. She has learned much for these challenges and is ready to share her experiences with others - and excited to learn more herself!

Did you know why Duy-Loan Le is such an inspiration? Duy-Loan is a Houston native and the only female Texas Instrument Senior Fellow? She was a GHC10 keynote (https://youtu.be/PsEvCbjpvc4). Duy-Loan was ABI's Women of Vision 2007 Leadership award recipient and part of the Notable Women in Computing Card Deck. Duy-Loan has rock star status among Vietnamese women, especially if they've had a chance to meet her in person.

Sophia and Anh want to share their inspiration with others, particularly young girls still living in Vietnam.

You can connect with them on Twitter, @VietWiC, and in their new Facebook Group.

If you'll be at GHC15, you can also connect with them:

• Wednesday October 14:
  • 1:00-2:15PM Systers' Buddy Up @GHC
  • 9:00-10:00PM Vietnamese Women in Computing ABI community booth 
• Thursday October 15: 
• 1:00-2:30PM Lunch Time Table Topic
•  2:30-3:30PM Maternity Leave Survival Guide (Anh is facilitator) #GHCmoms
• Friday October 16:
•  2:00-2:30PM Anh will be at NIST/LLNL booth #126
• 5:30-6:30PM ABI Communities Meet Up

Hope you all have a chance to connect at the conference! Be sure to follow @VietWic on twitter for any last minute changes or meetups!