2024 Pass It On Award Winners
Celebrating a Community of Women Helping Women!
We are thrilled to recognize the outstanding women who have made significant contributions to their community through their acts of kindness and innovation. The AnitaB.org Systers Pass It On Awards honors Anita Borg’s desire to create an endless network of women technologists helping one another. This year we funded the launch and expansion of ten women led projects that inspire social good around the world. Meet the inspiring winners of the 2024 Pass It On Awards!"
Social Robot Companions for University Students
"It’s overwhelmingly exciting to be part of the Systers Network! I am thankful for the recognition and the support of my social-tech initiative. I look forward to mentoring and ‘Pass It On’ to the current and next generation of changemakers, doers, dreamers, and tinkerers." - Farnaz Baksh, Ideator
In February 2024, Farnaz organized and led a participatory design workshop that revealed significant interest in social robotics among female students. During the workshop she noticed about 45% were female students from diverse disciplines, including computer science, biology, and even business were enthusiastically sketching their designs and the idea occurred - build a community.
Empowering these girls by providing DIY hardware kits to construct prototypes of their designs could be life changing. It is opportunity to gain hands-on experience aimed at fosters creativity and innovation. More specifically it educates women and girls about the field of robotics engineering in a way that is relative to their primary study disciplines. The project supports the concept that technology is stronger when there is gender diversity in and broader perspectives technology.
When launched, the prototyping workshop will empower female students at the University of Guyana with hands-on experience in robotics, fostering their technical skills and creativity.
Contribute here: https://github.com/RobotStudyCompanion
STEMRise: Mentorship for Future Tech Leaders
"Being named this year's Systers Pass It On Award winner is an incredible honor. This recognition validates my hard work and dedication to empowering young women in tech. I'm excited about the opportunities it will create, allowing me to make a significant impact in fostering an inclusive and supportive tech community. Thank you to the Systers Pass It On Awards Committee for this amazing opportunity." - Evasana Pradhan, Founder
As one of only 5 female students among 40 in her computer engineering class, she experienced firsthand the gender imbalance in the tech industry. The "leaky pipeline" phenomenon, where 56% of women leave the tech industry 10-20 years into their careers, highlights the critical need for sustained mentorship and support and that is where STEMRise: Mentorship for Future Tech Leaders was born.
Women Leaders in Technology (WLiT) was established to address these challenges with a mission to empower young girls from diverse communities to create and lead in technology. The STEMRise mentorship program is at the core of WLiT’s strategy, recognizing its essential role in nurturing talent and providing guidance. STEMRise pairs 15 young girls pursuing studies in the industry, with experienced mentors for a 7-month period, providing guidance in technical skills and professional development sessions, a stepping stone to their tech career.
- What makes this mentorship program stand out? The relationship starts with an interactive painting session to create a genuine more easy flowing relationship from the beginning. Mentors and Mentees will jump right into their themed monthly sessions focus on the following:
1. Goal Setting and Ideation
2. Feedback and Values
3. Cultivating Work Relationships
4. Power
5. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
6. Portfolio Development
To date, 130 mentees have been paired with mentors. Many former mentees have become mentors themselves, creating a "pass it on" community and a supportive network of women in tech. The WLiT mentorship program both equips young women with the skills and confidence to navigate their tech careers and fosters a thriving, supportive community of women helping women. Through continuous mentorship and skill-building sessions, WLiT is making a significant impact in addressing the gender divide in technology.
To learn more about her work, please visit: http://wlit.org/
Comunidade SysAdminas
"This is my third consecutive year receiving the Pass It On Award for the SysAdminas community, and I couldn't be happier and more excited about it. It's incredible to have this support and to know that we're on the right path to including more women in technology."- Beatriz Oliveira, Founder
The SysAdminas Community is a non-profit, inclusive group that has been providing a supportive network for women interested in learning about IT Infrastructure since 2018. Their primary goal is to encourage women's participation in the technology field in Brazil by creating a safe and welcoming environment. Within the community, they offer various free activities and programs, including:
- Meetups, workshops, and live technical session on YouTube
- Career mentoring
- Specialization programs that help women in the community obtain technical certifications at an affordable cost.
- A Medium blog
- Free e-books produced by the community
Over the past five years, the SysAdminas Community project has impacted more than 3,300 people in Brazil. In the past two years, we had the privilege of being awarded the Pass It On Award, which has significantly helped our community evolve. Winning the award allowed the community to strengthen and expand to host events that reached 150 women in São Paulo.
They are committed to continuing to be a source of support and guidance to help them reintegrate into the job market and succeed in their careers.
To learn more about her work, please visit: https://sysadminas.com.br/eng
Read their impact report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vCMVi2-tKbmgkxO9jR2KGX73E8sKNzAj/view
Ideator
Machine Learning and Wearable Tech: Predicting Vasovagal Syncope with POTS patients
"Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity! I'm so excited to continue my work in health tech and machine learning! Hopefully my project will inspire other young girls to pursue tech!" - Sirihaasa Nallamothu, Ideator
“Counting my "outs" is hell,” she said, fidgeting with the data collection watch. “But I want to do this for people like me. I need to.” Participant 25766 was someone who needed to believe that my research study would make her life better. I promised to do my best to empower her. - Sirihaasa Nallamothu
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a chronic illness and a form of Dysautonomia that corresponds to a rapid variability in heart rate. Around 30% of POTS patients experience Vasovagal Syncope: fainting and lapses of consciousness (“outs”) . POTS patients often sustain injuries as they fall to the ground, as they have no warning symptoms and are often unable to tell when they are about to faint before their syncopal episodes. Patients with vasovagal syncope also report a lower quality of life across multiple domains, and are more likely to focus on the negative consequences of fainting. There is little to no research insight into why the syncopal episode occurred: 86% of POTS patients are women which explains why there is no focused research.
And thus the idea was born - wearable tech
This project aims to create a machine learning system to predict the onset of vasovagal syncope in POTS patients 2-3 minutes in advance to allow them to get to a safe position before undergoing syncopal episodes. In addition to improve the physical experience for individuals it would provide insights into what caused their syncopal episodes to occur (food, salt intake, etc.), to help them create lifestyle changes and prevent future possible episodes.
This research will also expand on a proof of concept study I completed in high school. The dataset used in this study is publicly available at https://tinyurl.com/POTSHICSS2023. Although this study was a proof of concept study it provided proof that the solution is possible. Sirihaasa plans to use this award to expand her studies and create more robust design models that uplift and empower POTS patients.
Connect with Sirihaasa on Linkedin to learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirihaasa-nallamothu-153a291aa/
Strong Stripes
"I feel so honored to have received the Pass it On Award. This award will help me to keep running my non-profit and helping kids and teens with disabilities/medical conditions in STEM."- Remley Hooker, Founder
"You can always turn your trials into triumphs." Diagnosed with chronic ITP at three and later with McCune-Albright Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting my bones and organs, Remley has attended more than your average doctor visits. This led to depression, isolation and, challenges in school and internships. Through that struggle, Remley began to understand the impact of community and thus founded Strong Stripes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and teens with rare diseases.
Since the launch in May 2023, they've donated over $8,000 and impacted more than 2,000 individuals through initiatives like free breakfasts, toy donations, and developing a specialized AP Computer Science Principles textbook. The mission at Strong Stripes goes beyond community-building. It addresses the glaring underrepresentation of disabled individuals in STEM fields.
Shockingly, despite 17% of children aged 3-17 having developmental disabilities, they remain significantly underrepresented in the STEM workforce (CDC, BLS). Only 37% report having necessary STEM accommodations, and a mere 33% complete a four-year degree (NCES, NLTS). To tackle these challenges, Strong Tripes collaborates with disabled community members to create inclusive educational resources, like our customizable textbook, “Accessing Excellence” available in audio, online, and braille formats.
A volunteer Dana noting, "I can't wait to see where Strong Stripes goes in the future. Disabilities in STEM often go overlooked, and by empowering them, we are raising the next generation of leaders in the biotech and biomedicine space."
Most of their events are virtual to accommodate our nationwide membership, including hospital-bound members. Past events include meetups, trivia nights, and family events to foster connections among our members. Remley doesn't plan to slow down. In the near future Strong Stripes will offer a fellowship program for disabled teens pursuing STEM degrees within our organization. The ultimate goal is to support and empower teenage members as they transition to college and beyond so that more students with disabilities and medical conditions can graduate from their 4 year STEM programs.
Strong Stripes isn't just a nonprofit organization; it's a symbol of hope and opportunity for children and teens with rare diseases and disabilities. By fostering a sense of belonging and offering pathways to success in STEM, we're making a tangible difference in their lives.
To learn more about her work, please visit: https://www.strongstripes.org/
Dark Kak
"I am incredibly honored and humbled to have Dark Kak named 2024 Pass It On Award winner. This award truly inspires us to continue with our journey towards creating the bridge between technology and knowledge. Thank you for this prestigious honor." - Noruin Haque, Founder
One ordinary morning, they randomly noticed some videos of children from a Dhaka slum school, enthusiastically performing good deeds through an AR challenge called “Kind New World.” That challenge was created by the Dark Kak team. Originally starting as a fun and easy way to encourage people to do good deeds by assigning tasks like “Help a Stranger Today”, unexpectedly showcased the profound impact of AR in education, especially in underprivileged areas.
This tool transforms any display into an interactive platform for educational AR content, allowing children to engage with material in a fun, gamified manner. The AR Mirror debuted at a Kid's Fair on February 2024, featuring interactive games on nutrients and healthy eating, attracting over 3,100 visitors. The AR Mirror is bridging the gap between technology and accessibility, making immersive learning experiences available to all students in Bangladesh, ensuring they are not left behind in the digital age.
Receiving the award would provide an incredible opportunity to expand our efforts in empowering women and fostering community growth through technology. Here's how we plan to leverage this support:
Skill Development and Training:
With the award, we will establish a comprehensive training program focusing on AR/VR/MR development specifically tailored for women. Our goal is to increase the number of skilled female developers in the tech industry. We will offer workshops, online courses, and hands-on training sessions to ensure women gain the necessary skills to excel in this field. This initiative will also include mentorship programs where experienced professionals guide and support trainees, providing them with insights and networking opportunities.
Inclusivity in Product Development:
Inclusivity will be at the heart of our product development process. We will create focus groups and feedback loops involving female educators and students to ensure our products address their unique needs and perspectives. We already have two female co-founders out of three and majority of our developers are female. By fostering an environment where women’s voices are heard and valued, we aim to design AR experiences that are not only educational but also empowering and relevant to girls and young women. This approach will help break down barriers and encourage more women to pursue careers in technology and education.
Winning this award would allow Nourin and team to bring their AR Mirror to schools in remote areas, such as the Pawmang Non-Government Primary School in Bandarban. Long term they will be able to facilitate immersive laboratories in schools that lack traditional lab facilities. The AR Mirror will allow students to engage in virtual experiments and interactive learning, making subjects like science and math more accessible and exciting. We will collaborate with local communities and educators to tailor the content to their specific needs, ensuring it is culturally relevant and effective.
To learn more about her work, please visit: www.darkkak.com
To contact, email: info@darkkak.com
Her Tech Journey
" This award means to further bridge the gender gap and inspire more girls and women to choose the tech field. " - Valeria Cerpa Salas, Ideator
"HerTechJourney" will be an innovative digital platform built in Peru, designed to inspire, educate and empower girls and women to pursue careers in technology. The mission is to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry by providing an engaging and supportive environment. Key features include interactive timelines, graphs, interviews, tech role simulators and an AI-powered tool offering personalized career guidance.
To learn more about her work, please contact: vcerpasalas@gmail.com.
WomenUP 2025
"I'm so happy that the Systers gave me their confidence once more time! No word can't say enough how my felling right now! Thank you so much!" - Pamela Azanfouet, Founder
On March 8th, 2024, the world celebrated the IWD, with the theme is "Investing in Women: Accelerate Progress," aiming to highlight the importance of investing in women and girls as powerful leaders by supporting and expanding their rights. How can we economically, politically, and socially empower women in rural areas? How can we collectively break down the digital and gender divides and create more equitable, and sustainable societies?
Those questions and lack of answers is the reason why the WomenUP program was created in 2021. It aims to equip 40 women over the course of 7 weeks with intense training of technical and digital skills that can effectively become a pathway for financial freedom for her and her family. WomenUP focuses on three key areas: 1) digital literacy courses, 2) financial automation empowerment session, and 3) business training programs.
Since its launch the program has had many success stories much like Malthide who created a brand called ZENOUN FOODS or Ramatu who started doing awareness on Gender based violence and encouraging other victims to get into tech and join the WomenUp program to improve their lives.
To learn more about her work, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nkwangtech-foundation/posts/?feedView=all
D3S Data Consultancy (D3S Consultoria em Dados)
"Winning the PIO Award honors the epic battles I faced to become who I am today and legitimizes the different future possibilities we are fighting for. So, we are truly excited about the opportunities ahead." - Phirtia Silva, Founder
As a woman from a Brazilian suburb, granddaughter of subsistence fishermen and farmers, I was born in a deeply vulnerable place, where girls like me would never grow up to become a scientist. In this context, I touched a computer for the first time just when I was 14, in 2008, at school. I had to learn English alone and faced several social barriers to knowledge and technology access. Despite these difficulties, I became a data scientist proficient in programming languages and software. Because of these challenges, I started a project to democratize access to data expertise and technology for Third Sector institutions whose mission is to promote social transformation. Through this mission, we also encourage women-in-science empowerment by offering a secure space for data scientists, statisticians, and women in computing. Our efforts aim to ensure that stories like mine do not have to be repeated, as it should not be so hard to achieve our dreams. Winning the PIO Award honors the epic battles I faced to become who I am today and legitimizes the different future possibilities we are fighting for. So, we are truly excited about the opportunities ahead.
In deeply unequal countries like Brazil, the non profit sector is crucial for social development, filling gaps where the state is absent. However, while companies leverage A.I. to boost profits, many NGOs do not have expertise in basic Excel. These organizations have valuable datasets because they can gather data where the state cannot, but they still have strong limitations to use them. Due to this lack of investment in the non profit sector, an important transformation agent, organizations are losing their opportunity to generate high-level analysis with unique data and boost their social impact.
D3S Consultancy project comes up to democratize access to data uses and technologies from the Third Sector. By that, we aim to put forward social justice by supporting these crucial agents in using data for their aims, powering their causes.
Furthermore, we are a non-profit project of young Brazilian Scientists who want to spread women-in-science empowernment at the same time we create new possibilities for organizations throughout Brazil.
Contact information:
To contact her, please email: projetod3sconsultoria@gmail.com
To learn more about her work, please visit: www.d3sconsultoria.com.br
Smart Jewellery
"Honored and grateful to receive this award! This achievement reflects our team's relentless passion and hard work. Thank you for recognizing our efforts!" - Shababa Binte Hossain, Ideator
It was through one of her toughest experiences that Shababa was able to blossom into the leader she is today. After experiencing a violent assault that left her both physically and emotionally scarred she was unable to find quickly safety or call for help.
In the past 5 years, around 27,000 rape cases were reported in her country of Bangladesh. Nearly 10,000 women suffer violence every year, in the form of being beaten, killed for dowry, forced marriage, or sexual assaults. In response to the ongoing violence against women, she began developing smart jewelry—a discreet IoT device embedded in jewelry and connected to a application. By pressing a button on the jewelry, individuals in need can send an alert to the app, which then shares the user's location with pre-saved emergency contacts. Using advanced location tracking systems that utilizes GPS, GSM, and GPRS modules, the mobile app ensures a seamless cross-platform experience. Key features include customizable emergency contacts, configurable SOS triggers, personalized text alerts, and key finding capabilities. Designed to look ordinary, the jewelry maintains an element of surprise, catching potential attackers off guard and enhancing the wearer's defense.
Receiving this award will allow them to empower women across Bangladesh by prioritizing the following:
- Collaborating with indigenous jewelry businesses through Beyond the Hills to enhance their economic stability and promote their cultural heritage.
- Investment in high quality materials and production
- Economically empower women so they can reinvest in their local economies, create job opportunities, and contribute to community development.
- Cultural preservation as a priority focuses on introducing these designs to mainstream markets for future generations Sustainable Growth for the jewelry businesses allowing indigenous women to grow their enterprises independently
To learn more about her work, please visit: https://shabababintehossai.wixsite.com/portfolioofshababa
Learn more about past winners!
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Attn: Systers Pass It On Awards
Anita Borg Institute
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For more information on how to get involved email: systers@anitab.org