Defying Gravity: Women In Technology Converge In Salt Lake City

Salt Lake may be a small city, but it’s big on women in technology. At yesterday’s Women Tech Awards, more than 400 women engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders gathered to celebrate the best and brightest women in technology-related professions.

• Susan Johnson, recipient of the Leadership Excellence award, recounted being the only woman in her engineering program and being asked by one of the male students, “Does your father know you are here.” She responded, “He’s the one who encouraged me to take the class.”
• Sarah Hiza, recipient of the Technology Innovator award, talked about the unwavering support of her parents as she pursued her Ph.D. in Polymer Science.
• Courtney Doyle, recipient of the Academic Excellence award, recognized the four other Ph.D. students in her category. They are strong, smart and so proud to represent women in the engineering department at the University of Utah.

The Women Technology Council did a fantastic job with this event. It was completely inspiring. Personally, I am so proud of my business partner Erin Bolton who honored as one of the 16 finalists.