Charleston's "Women In Tech"Recognized at First-Ever White House Tech Meetup

Charleston, S.C. --**** Charleston Women in Tech continues to contribute to the City of Charleston's thriving tech economy and is putting Charleston on the map for creating equal opportunity for all genders. On Friday, April 17 the White House, will host local leaders from across our "Innovation Nation" at the first-ever White House Tech Meetup, including Charleston Women in Tech. Carolyn Finch, Business Development Manager for the City of Charleston will be representing the Meetup group at the White House. Finch will join 49 other tech community organizers from across the nation to discuss best practices, scaling outreach and inclusion efforts, finding new ways to diversify the industry, and ensuring the engagement of young people. Charleston Women in Tech is one of only four all-women's groups to receive an invitation. In addition, Finch will be speaking on a panel discussion titled "Tech for Social Change and Economic Development", addressing the need to include more women in technology.

With roughly 400 active members, Charleston Women in Tech has already made a significant impact in closing the gender gap in an industry dominated by men. Sponsored by Google and local tech companies such as BoomTown, Blackbaud, and Sparc, Charleston Women in Tech has hosted networking events, resume workshops and roundtable discussions -- creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation and shifting the gender landscape in the Charleston tech community. To further address the gender gap, the group has taken on the mission of introducing girls to software technology by forming "Girls in Tech" coding clubs. Utilizing Google's CS First software education program, volunteers from Charleston Women in Tech, teach software skills to elementary and middle school students to encourage young females to explore career opportunities in the tech industry.

Finch's efforts have given prominence to the need for more females in the tech industry, as well as a forum to celebrate women leaders in the tech community. "I am honored to be representing Charleston's Women in Tech. Our participation in this inaugural event is demonstrative evidence of the work these women have accomplished in their efforts to create a more diverse and equal industry. " says Finch. "This event will be an invaluable opportunity to share our mission as a community in Charleston, not only as women in technology, but Charleston's tech community as a whole."

About Charleston Women in Tech

Charleston Women in Tech is a collaborative effort of Charleston's women leaders, educators, and tech professionals to support and mentor women of all ages in the technology industry.

More: http://www.meetup.com/Charleston-Women-In-Tech/

About the Charleston Digital Corridor

The Digital Corridor is a creative initiative to attract, nurture and promote Charleston's knowledge economy through a combination of technology enabled initiatives and business incentives, private business support and member driven programming. More: www.charlestondigitalcorridor.com