AnitaB.org India
AnitaB.org India was started in the year 2009, with a community of women driven to align with the mission and vision of AnitaB.org under the leadership of Telle Whitney. Our first Grace Hopper Celebration in India began in 2009 and in 2019 India celebrated the 10th anniversary of this flagship event with over 6000 attendees. Our communities continue to grow, inspire, and connect through the various Hopper events, community meet and greets, and programs. We held our first virtual GHCI in 2021 and look forward to driving the mission and vision of AnitaB.org to greater heights, with our respective communities, sponsors, and allies.
Grace Hopper Celebration India (GHCI)
Modeled after the U.S. celebration, the Grace Hopper Celebration India is the largest technical conference for women in the country and is co-presented with the Association for Computing Machinery-India. GHCI focuses on research, career, and entrepreneur interests of women in technology. In 2016 GHCI had 2,909 attendees and 43 sponsor companies. Sessions cover topics about technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, management and much more. There are also unique programs that take place within the overall celebration:
Student Programs
With AnitaB.org’s background in research, it remains important to us to support academia. Thus we offer two programs specifically for students. One is a scholarship program so that women students from computing, engineering, and IT backgrounds can attend GHCI. The scholarship covers registration, lodging, and meals during the celebration. We also host a Career Fair at GHCI that can be attended by women students only. This program gives companies the chance to recruit high-quality students from all over India.
Back to Work Program
During GHCI, we offer specially designed Back to Work sessions for women who took a 2-3 year break from work. These sessions give women an opportunity to learn, network and instill confidence that they can come back to a technical career.
Code-a-thons
AnitaB.org India organizes exclusive women-only Code-a-thons across India. This gives students and professionals from technical background to code, learn and network.
Women Entrepreneurs in Motion
Our Women Entrepreneurs in Motion program is designed to develop a collaborative model to leverage social capital and serve as catalysts for building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in India. Initiatives under this program provide women technological entrepreneurs with avenues to build networks, raise funds, innovate, and access business opportunities.
Women Entrepreneur Quest (Women Entrepreneur Quest)
One example of a Women Entrepreneurs in Motion program is our annual start-up contest, Women Entrepreneur Quest. Started in 2011, this program identifies and rewards talented women entrepreneurs who are founders of technical ventures. Women Entrepreneur Quest is not just a popular contest, but a comprehensive platform that provides mentoring, learning, and networking opportunities for real business growth.
ABI.Locals
ABI.Local is a global network of locally organized communities that bring women technologists together in cities around the world. These communities help women technologists connect with each other and organizations nearby – allowing them to learn, exchange stories, and grow their careers. We have five communities in India – Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi/NCR, Mumbai and Pune.
Other Diversity & Inclusion Efforts
We believe it is important to work with organizations directly to help change the tech culture and create workplaces where women technologists can thrive. Therefore, we have some programs developed to offer guidance to organizations looking to change.
Diversity and Inclusion Workshops
AnitaB.org India organizes workshops and closed door sessions for technical women and senior HR professionals, focusing on how to create a more inclusive work environment in their organization. Industry experts conduct these sessions and provide models and best practices to build effective Diversity and Inclusion Programs.
CXO Breakfast Meetings
The CXO Breakfast Meetings convene high-level executives (such as CEOs, CTOs/CIOs, and other business heads) from leading organizations. These meetings raise awareness, share best practices, and help leaders drive change within their companies for the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in technology.