Tanya McGinnity

Today is Ada Lovelace Day and I dedicate this post to Brenda Laurel.

In 1992, Brenda began research on the ways in which girls engage in play behaviours and how many of the games on the market were geared mainly towards the interest of boys (the believed target market). She’s a true pioneer in the study of how humans interact with computers and is credited with studying what it takes to help to make girls more comfortable with computer technolgies and gameplay. Her examination of the motivations of girls, their mind-sets and values helped to gauge the opinions of these mini-girl-geeks and develop games related to their specific needs.

Brenda’s writing has always fascinated me and this passage from “Utopian Entrepreneur” is one of my favourites:

“So when I see signs that say “pray for peace,” I want to post these signs:  Work for peace.  Speak for peace.  Tell stories for peace.  Make music for peace.  Write books and make movies and build websites for peace.  Do culture work that corrodes extremism and intolerance.  Manifest peace.”

For more information, check out this TED talk with Brenda to hear her stories related to her work related to games for girls. The recordings of the girls recounting their stories shows how excited they are about being asked to share their experiences.

Thank you Brenda Laurel. I’m glad you are a champion for girl gamer geeks everywhere.

Friday, March 6th I was so pleased to be in attendance at the first Women in Business Conference sponsored by the John Molson Women in Business Club (WIBC).

I have to give serious credit to the organizers of this event as the evening consisted of a panel comprised of several influential and inspirational women who shared their stories and provided tips on how to balance a career with family, network and be seen and heard in the boardroom, conference room and lunch room.

The panel featured the following successful women from Montreal’s business community:

President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University, Judith Woodsworth

VP Strategy and Business Development, Bombardier, Maidread Lavery

Senior Vice President National Accounts; Laurentian Bank of Canada, Dana Ades-Landy

Principal; Mercer, Kathy Stanczyk Thibault, MBA

Partner; McCarthy Tétrault, Lorna J. Telfer

I wish John Molson’s WIBC much success and believe that they are doing vital work in helping to bring together established female business leaders with young women who are looking to begin their careers in this field.