The initiative is a five-week mentoring program that encourages and supports women engaged in technology in the Middle East and Africa.
As part of the final week events, Yount discussed the two-party system, the importance of get-out-the-vote efforts, and the importance of women’s involvement in the political processes, here in the U.S. as well as the Middle East.
“I am a strong advocate of women’s involvement in the political process and so many of these women share these views and have already made a mark in the historic events of the last year,” said Yount. “And I also had a chance to discuss the challenges of juggling a career in politics or holding office with raising a family.”
Yount previously served as a member of former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge’s senior staff.
The TechWomen participants came from Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Yemen, Tunisia, and the Palestinian Territories for the mentoring program. These women received mentorships from leading US technology companies, including Microsoft, Citrix, Google, Adobe, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Symantec and Twitter.
After the panel, the participants and presenters enjoyed a lunch that included remarks from Assistant Secretary Ann Stock. Former White House Press Secretary and author of “Why Women Should Rule the World’ Dee Dee Myers then held an intimate discussion with participants about how the experience had impacted their lives.
“One participant from Lebanon said that she had thought about the American dream, but now she had touched it – it was incredibly moving and inspirational,” said Yount. “Many women said they were impressed by our bi-partisanship on the panel. I was just as impressed to be among this group of engineers, scientists and PhDs – many of whom I have no doubt will go back to their countries and truly make a difference.”
The program is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Institute of International Education and the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology.
This appeared on MSI’s website, our America's operation.
