1. Promoting Gender Equality in FIRST
By Andy Baker
Husband of Mary
Father of 3 daughters (Rachel, Isabelle, Lucy) in FIRST
20 year FIRST mentor
President of AndyMark, Inc.
2003 Championship Woodie Flowers Award winner

2. FIRST Strategic Pillars
Expand Participation
Increase Diversity
Scale Efficiently
Ensure Sustainability
Achieve Broad Recognition
- Don Bossi, FIRST President
(Increasing Diversity will strengthen all pillars)

4. - Courtesy of FIRST

5. Strategic Pillar: Increase Diversity
We need kids of all backgrounds, capabilities and social circumstances to contribute and participate in addressing the world’s toughest challenges and making the world a better place for future generations. We need input and participation from everyone, and we need to nurture every kid’s potential to be a leader and innovator. - Don Bossi, FIRST President

6. Focus: Gender Equality
Privilege is invisible for those who have it
Equality: It’s fair, it’s right, it’s just
It’s good for us:
Highest gender-equal countries have happiest members
Highest gender-equal companies are the happiest workforces
More equal a marriage is, the happier the members are
Men are happier when their relationship with women is equal
Children are happier when both parents share their childcare
- Dr. Michael Kimmel, TED talk

7. Focus: Gender Equality
Gender equality is not a zero sum game for men, but rather a win-win
We cannot fully empower women and girls unless we engage men and boys
- Dr. Michael Kimmel, TED talk

8. Current Causes of Gender Discrimination
Chivalry disguised as sexism
Propagation of gender stereotypes
Example: Holding open the door
Risk-adverse females
They may think FIRST is a new, risky undertaking
Lack of encouragement for minorities from family, teachers, counselors, society
Imposter Syndrome
A feeling of phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement

9. What I See and Hear in FIRST
“I need you two to be inspection managers”
LRI to two female AndyMark employees who signed up to be robot inspectors. All male volunteers were assigned as robot inspectors.
“No, really, what is your role on the team?”
Very famous FIRST supporter to a FRC girl who said she was the Lead Mechanical Student.
“Let me ____ that for you.”
Many male mentors or students, wishing to help a female teammate.
“Sally or Lisa, take notes”
During a large meeting, Sally and Lisa are the only females in the room.

10. What I See and Hear in FIRST
“Kate is one of the most important women in FIRST”
What I said when introducing FIRST students to Kate Pilotte at World Championships in I realized my mistake immediately.
“Are you cheerleaders?”
My 93-year-old great uncle and distinguished WWII veteran, meeting my three daughters
“No, we are on the robotics team”
“We thought you were the FTA!”
People seeking field setup direction from a pair of AndyMark employees (woman and man), and focusing their attention on a less-experienced male, not the female FTA.

11. What I See and Hear in FIRST
Encouragement toward girls to be focused on business, marketing, project leadership roles
Encouragement toward boys to be focused on fabrication, design, and programming roles
Boys refuse roles they don’t want
Girls reluctantly accept roles teammates won’t do
Girls are bullied by males AND females
Lack of female mentors and role models in FIRST (what are demographics?)

12. Actions for Suppliers, Supporters, Mentors
Treat girls and women equally
Acknowledge gender stereotypes and strive to not continually follow them
Be cautious in congratulating and singling women out just for being women in STEM
Realize their obstacles, encourage them to overcome
Encourage risk taking
Break it early
Celebrate mistakes
Appropriately correct others when you see stereotyping, bias and discrimination

13. Actions for Suppliers and Supporters
Be an ALLY to feminists
Listen, learn, elevate, empower, be accountable
Check out Franchesca Ramsey’s video blog
We can do better
AndyMark can improve (33% women)
Reflect customer demographics
Australian FRC Regional: Unconscious Bias Training

14. Thank you!