Everything starts with an image. When you see a person, the first thing you notice is how they look—their vibe, their energy. Do they seem shy? Assertive? Strong? Without realizing it, we form an impression based on how familiar they seem or whether they resemble someone we subconsciously trust. Then comes their voice: its tone, quality, and how it fits the personality you’ve inferred from that first glance.
The truth is, most of the time, we don’t interact with people long enough to move beyond that initial impression. It’s all we have. And while these first impressions are often inaccurate, we rarely get the chance to dig deeper and truly know the person behind them. Our perceptions of others remain limited, shaped by our own past experiences, the people we've encountered before, and what we've learned to expect from those who look or act a certain way.
We create mental images of others, storing them in our minds like a database, applying what we’ve seen in the past to new encounters without really getting to know the individual in front of us. We generalize, and in doing so, we miss out on understanding the true complexity of the people we meet.
That’s why it’s so important to challenge these perceptions—especially when it comes to women in tech. In fields like technology, where men still dominate, there are fewer women to interact with, fewer examples to draw from. It’s a numbers game—fewer women in the field means fewer chances to truly see their talent and leadership in action.
Even in our personal lives, we see how much image matters. When you change into clothes that make you feel good, it lifts your mood, boosts your confidence, and alters the way you carry yourself. So much begins with how we’re seen—whether it’s others’ perception of us or our own self-image. It’s not everything, but it’s often the starting point.
Historically, women have faced societal restrictions when it comes to work and education, which slowed their entrance into fields like technology. And while those barriers have gradually been dismantled, the transition is still ongoing. The underrepresentation of women in tech has contributed to lingering unconscious biases, including the gender pay gap and other challenges women face in the workplace.
At The Lady in Tech, we aim to rewrite these narratives and challenge these perceptions. By increasing positive representation of women in tech and leadership roles—through using clothing and accessories as our media, and sharing stories—we hope to make an impact. By showcasing the achievements of women and highlighting the unspoken biases they still encounter, we want to move the needle, even if just a little.
You can be part of this change too. Help us broadcast a bold, powerful image of women in tech to the world: spread the word. Together, we can start changing the story.
