
In my interview with Elizabeth Travis, PhD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, she noted the extra effort it takes to put women on scientific and technical panels:
I organized an international meeting a year ago as a program chair and I said to my committee “Do not bring me a symposium without at least one woman speaker.” There was the usual rolling of the eyes and comments like “Don’t we want the best?” That’s used frequently to challenge women. I said “You have just insulted every woman in this organization.” One man was so keen to do this, he had a symposium with all women faculty speaking—it takes that kind of effort.Are there sites for your profession that do what GeekSpeakr does for high-tech women? Let me know in the comments, and I'll post a compilation. If your professional organization or networking group includes a speakers' bureau or similar signup, make sure your name and topics of interest are registered there, too.