Why WIRED's Focus on Women in Tech Still Matters

Personal Reflections on a Career Shaped by Gender Bias

When my therapist asked me if I had a problem with men, it felt like the moment he was trying to understand something I couldn't even articulate clearly. That question opened up a well of experience that many women in technology will recognize—a long history of workplace bias that has shaped not only careers but personal identity.

I started working at WIRED back in 2009, during its early days as a digital publication. At the time, I was excited to be part of a culture that celebrated innovation and technical prowess. But what became clear over time was that the culture wasn't just male-dominated—it was aggressively so. From my first internships to my reporting years, I encountered subtle and overt instances of sexism, all too often disguised as 'just the way things are.'

One particular memory stands out: a senior editor once asked me where my 'legs' went when I wore pants to work—an observation that was meant to be lighthearted but clearly rooted in outdated assumptions about female professionalism. It wasn't just a moment of discomfort; it was a signal that the norms I had internalized were not always welcome.

"I second-guess my decisions. I apologize endlessly. For years, I dressed as sloppily as possible—it was easier to show up unprofessionally than risk attracting any attention."

Over time, these experiences took their toll. There were moments when I questioned whether I was hired for the right reasons or simply to fill a quota. And there were days when I felt compelled to adopt a harder edge to gain respect in a male-dominated environment—a performance that felt false and exhausting.

The Long Road Toward Inclusion

Looking back, it's hard to believe how far we've come. Yet, despite significant progress, the data tells us we're not there yet. A 2010 analysis showed that since its founding in 1993, WIRED had published only four covers featuring women for professional accomplishments. That same span saw more than 70 covers celebrating men.

These numbers aren't just statistics—they're stories of missed opportunities to showcase the talent and contributions of women across tech and science. It's a pattern that has echoed throughout many media and tech institutions, reinforcing harmful stereotypes while overlooking the real progress being made by those who are often left out of the narrative.

But this isn't just about past failures. The effects of systemic bias continue to play out in our daily lives—sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes not so much. When a company's leadership makes jokes about how women aren't suited for certain roles, or when pay disparities persist despite equal qualifications, we're seeing the continued influence of outdated thinking.

WIRED's Bold New Direction

The decision to dedicate an entire issue to women in tech may seem like a step backward in a time where many argue that gender shouldn't be a defining factor anymore. But I believe it's actually a necessary corrective—one that forces us to examine what progress really looks like and whether we've moved beyond the need for visibility and support.

In 2026, when many people are eager to dismiss the importance of gender equity in tech, it's crucial to keep talking about it. It's not about reinforcing divisions; it's about correcting imbalances that still exist in power structures, leadership roles, and decision-making processes.

WIRED Women began as a joke among editors—mocking the idea that a male-centric publication might need a whole issue dedicated to women. But that humor quickly turned into purpose. It wasn't about creating another trend—it was about recentering voices that had long been marginalized, even in spaces that claimed to champion innovation and diversity.

The Cost of Silence

What struck me most during my time at WIRED was the absence of women's perspectives—not just in headlines or covers, but in shaping editorial decisions and strategic direction. That silence didn't go unnoticed by those who were affected.

We saw the impact when a male executive suggested that I should commit 'seppuku' after I wrote an editorial letter disagreeing with his views. Or when a well-known figure credited our previous editor in chief—also male—for the success of WIRED during my tenure, even though he had no involvement in leading the publication at all. These moments underscore how deeply embedded the culture can be, and how easily progress can be rolled back.

And it's not just about historical figures or individual incidents. The real cost lies in what happens when women are overlooked or undervalued—not only in their careers but in their personal lives. It affects everything from how they're treated professionally to how much they earn, and whether they can even envision themselves climbing the corporate ladder.

Looking Forward

If there's one thing I've learned over the course of my career, it's that true change comes not from simply checking boxes or paying lip service to inclusion. It comes from sustained effort, from challenging norms, and from ensuring that every person, regardless of gender, has a seat at the table.

For young women entering the tech field today, there's more visibility than ever before. But the journey is far from over. There's still a long way to go to create environments where diversity isn't tokenized but truly embraced.

WIRED's decision to publish a full issue focused on women is more than just a celebration—it's a call to action. It forces us to confront what we've done wrong, and what we must do differently moving forward. For the sake of my daughter and all the young girls who will inherit this world, we can't afford to let this conversation fade away.

In the end, our hope isn't for a world where gender is irrelevant—it's for one where it no longer matters because everyone gets equal opportunity, respect, and recognition. That's what progress looks like.