Raising My Hand: A Founder's First Day of Class at SXSW EDU

I'm back in class. And I couldn't be happier.

As a corporate lawyer-turned-founder, I was an unlikely entrepreneur. But when I launched a mentorship platform for girls called être, designed, as our French name suggests, to bring girls directly into companies to see what it is possible to be, I knew that everyone I met would have something to teach me. My two main jobs, I told myself, were to listen and learn.

Now at SXSW EDU for the first time, during Women's History Month and overlapping with International Women's Day no less, I feel I am standing in the middle of the world's most exciting classroom.

What is SXSW EDU?

The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival is an annual event that cultivates innovation, mentorship and learning within the education industry. A component of the broader SXSW family of festivals, SXSW EDU takes place each March in Austin, Texas, to offer live panels, in-depth workshops, focused mentorship sessions, film screenings, forward-looking pitch competitions, and more.

"We believe that education has the power to inspire, elevate, and change the future," the organizers note on their website. "We bring together the learner, the practitioner, the entrepreneur, and the visionary to share their groundbreaking stories, tackle complex issues, and build reimagined paths forward. It is this unfettered, inspired and passionate community that will collectively create a new tomorrow for learners everywhere and drive impact."

My badge is on. My notebook is out.

What's the speaker line-up this year?

Think rockstars like Luma Mufleh and Ruth J. Simmons (both fellow Smith College alums), Olympic athletes like Kristy Yamaguchi, CEOs, celebrated educators, start-up founders, activists, and students in their own youth pitch competition.

To see the entire list and search for favorites, check here. The SXSW EDU team pulled together a global list of legends ready to advance education, increase inclusion in the classroom and empower a brand new generation of leaders.

How is SXSW EDU celebrating International Women's Day?

They're going all out. With a full day panel presented by The Female Quotient and Direct Digital Holdings, Women That Flex: Celebrating Women Leaders with Far Reaching Impact promises to "shine a light on women's achievements and ideas across the education landscape."

And there's more. As the 2023 theme for International Women's Day is Embrace Equity, SXSW EDU has a slate of captivating sessions centered on closing the gender equity gap. A few that caught my eye?

Closing the Gap: Black Girls in STEM

How Education Drives Equity & Empowerment at Work

Incubating Female Students into Entrepreneurs

Will the Metaverse Disrupt Equity Gaps?

Why Women are Rising to the Top in Education

Will I dive in and out of others on this list? Absolutely. Am I beyond excited to attend this year, learn from new connections, and book my return for 2024? You know it.

Because global classrooms like SXSW EDU whet our appetite to learn. To stand in awe. To raise our hand instead of lowering our standards. That last sentence has been a motto at être since day one, and serves as a good reminder for me as I head out to this morning's first keynote.

I will be surrounded all week by experts in their fields. My ears are open. My hand is up. I am here to listen and learn.

Looking forward,

Illana

êXTRA: Three more ways to engage with SXSW EDU 2023 this week that you won't want to miss: Pick up a personal SXSW EDU Online Pass; follow along on social via SXSW EDU's Twitter,?LinkedIn,?Instagram,?Facebook, or?TikTok; and share #SXSWEDU details with next gen girls through être's Insta.