A Mom on a Mission Changed An Industry

“Why am I even here?, I remembered thinking. Even though I had fashioned myself as a capable woman with a fancy graduate degree in tech, I clearly did not belong in this environment, where phrases like "it's so easy your mom can do it" were casually thrown about. I realized at that moment that despite all the talk about increasing diversity in tech and the industry's urgent need for more women and people of color to enter the field, that call was not meant for me."—Tina Lee, Founder & CEO, MotherCoders

In 2013, Tina had grown frustrated of not belonging. As a mother, she’d often self-select out of professional workshops, events or conferences. When and if she could attend anything, Tina would have to pump in cold, unkempt bathrooms after scrambling for childcare. Tina finally sent out a simple google form to her network. Maybe there were others like her? It turns out, there were and the form was shut down due to the overwhelming response. Women needed more and better options. 

Career | Community | Childcare

Mothercoders was born with a single mission: to advance moms and their careers in technology. The programs were all designed, intentionally and the focus was on removing barriers in every capacity. MotherCoders would create clear career paths, make programs concise and affordable, with included childcare and social support. Every event or training workshop had a Mother's room or in the early (early) days, Mommy Pod trucks that traveled to other conferences to support women. 

Over the past decade, MotherCoders has helped thousands of moms, creating a rippling generational impact in tow. 70% of MotherCoders participants were women of color; 68% of all participants increased their average income. Companies like Google, LinkedIn and so many more partnered with the organization to help change workplace culture. It’s not only award-winning but scaled across the nation. It also helped to pave the way for new organizations like Tech-Moms.

"MotherCoders helped to raise the national and global consciousness of moms in tech. It used to be like 'that's cute' when I would talk to business leaders about motherhood. I'd respond: no-we are trying to feed our families! There was this shame around motherhood as well. We are at a point in history where there is more awareness and conversation.”—Tina Lee, Founder & CEO, MotherCoders

The State of the Union

What we now think of as normalized in the workplace began with organizations like MotherCoders. This includes ERG groups focused on motherhood, office and event nursing rooms, national paid leave, and more. The business case for being a mom has been made, which has paved the way for even more opportunities. More companies are starting to offer childcare in 2023 and new policies are being enacted. The work that has been done has afforded more economic mobility, equity, and visibility to women. 

“If you design policies, programs, and services that support the most marginalized, everyone benefits. It’s not an either-or situation.”—Tina Lee, Founder & CEO, MotherCoders

The last couple of years increasingly raised a magnifying glass on how caregiving without support, can harm women’s careers. Nearly 60% of parents cite a lack of childcare as their reason for leaving the workforce. As layoffs loom and companies look to cut costs, many companies have also cut childcare and paid leave. Some have even questioned their merit. Many have said American women have hit a breaking point and some 43% of women leaders report burnout. They need more intentional help and support. That’s where Bitwise Impact comes in.

The Next Phase for MotherCoders

Two moms focus on getting ahead at a MotherCoders meet-up.

Bitwise Impact is a newly formed nonprofit that will expand and amplify the amazing work MotherCoders has bee leading. A partnership formed between MotherCoders Founder Tina Lee and Irma Olguin Jr., the founder of Bitwise Industries, a tech-focused social enterprise, Bitwise Impact’s mission will be to improve the lives of the underestimated and increase workforce diversity, while working with community allies to build a more equitable society. As such, Bitwise Impact will provide support to aspiring technologists with apprenticeships in 10 cities across the U.S. — a program that will also offer onsite childcare, starting at their Fresno location.

“It’s a dream and the timing is perfect. Not only will Bitwise Impact be in cities MotherCoders has always wanted to expand into, it will make onsite childcare an integral part of its programming to support parents seeking to do better for their family.”—Tina Lee

This is the future of “women in tech,” and it’s bolder and a bit wiser (see what we did there?). The merging of these two amazing organizations can only catalyze the work of the past ten years of MotherCoders with Tina Lee at its helm. Read the official announcement here.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Tina and visionary changemakers like her. Read my recent interview with Tina.

Jennifer Tacheff

MotherCoders Board Member