Tink-Her-Hack's All-Women Revolution

Back on December 17th, 2022, the completion of Tink-Her-Hack marked a significant milestone in my life. Initially hesitant due to personal insecurities and concerns about personal branding, a year and a half later, witnessing the legacy being passed on and the birth of Tink-Her-Hack version 2, I found myself compelled to share the incredible journey and extend heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable team and generous sponsors. - FOSS United ( Kailash Nadh Vishal Arya )

The Dream Project:

Tink-Her-Hack emerged from the dreams of a group of visionary women who were passionate about a cause – providing more access to technology for women. The driving force behind the project was the desire to create a women-only hackathon, a notion that might be controversial to some but was fueled by a strong vision.

Personal Connection to Hackathons:

My introduction to hackathons happened during my final year of college, an experience that unfolded online due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite my initial lack of understanding about hackathons, I found immense joy in participating alongside my juniors and our mentor, LIZY ABRAHAM . Most of the contributions and work in the community that I have done is to give what I have never got in my college days. And one of it is Tink-Her-Hack

Goals and Vision:

The initial goals were simple yet impactful:

• introducing and empowering women to the world of hackathons,
• raising awareness about the opportunities they present, and
• ensuring diversity across institutions in Kerala. The focus was on supporting women in learning technology from scratch, demonstrating their skills, and fostering an understanding of open source.

Execution and Support System:

Unlike conventional hackathons, Tink-Her-Hack provided continuous 3-4 week boot camp support from mentors. Each mentor was assigned 6-7 teams, creating a supportive ecosystem. The event saw significant success, with numbers reflecting the quality and quantity of the initiative.

Highlights and Achievements:

Empowering Women: One of Tink-Her-Hack's defining features was its commitment to providing a safe and comfortable space for women in technology. The all-female organizing team created an environment where participants could interact freely, ask questions without fear, and build lasting friendships.

Bootcamps and Pre-Hackathon Preparations: Tink-Her-Hack recognized the importance of providing educational support to beginners. A dedicated 3-4 week bootcamp, coupled with pre-hackathon preparations, ensured that even those with minimal tech experience gained a solid foundation.

Confidence Through Project Completion: Participants, regardless of their skill level, found confidence in building and completing smaller end-to-end projects. This hands-on experience not only enhanced their technical skills but also instilled a sense of accomplishment.

Reflections and Areas for Improvement:

While celebrating the success, it's important to acknowledge areas for improvement. The scalability of the project revealed a need for more operational and execution planning, along with increased fund support.

Acknowledging the Pillars:

The success of Tink-Her-Hack was a collective effort, with key individuals playing pivotal roles. The pillars of the event, including Meenu Mohan @devika d extended to include Riya P Mathew Elizabeth Rachel Yohannan MUBEENA K P who were crucial to the execution.

Gratitude to Mentors, Judges, and Volunteers:

A special thanks to the 25 mentors, judges, and the 100+ volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to support the participants. Judges visited campuses even on weekends, emphasizing their commitment to the cause.

Rosemary Benny Cerin Sara Santhosh Sarayu Suresh Rishika Raveendran SINDHU P R @dhrishya s Irene Anna Kurien Anjana Thomas @rilna Surabhi S Sandra P P diya dathan Arya Nandakumar Sneha C Shaji Arti Bhatia Harsha Johny @sandra ma Tanu Shree Diksha Srivastava --> My dearest mentors

Amazing Judges - Anju Dinesh Mehar Rahim Poornima S Neha Parveen Divya Suseelan PMP?, CSM? @athira Ameera Sherin Sreelakshmi K B

The wonderful venue team : Ananya Sreeram @sradha bhaskar Nyasa Rajan Arya Nandakumar

Conclusion:

Tink-Her-Hack went beyond being just a hackathon; it became a transformative experience. Women who were once beginners now stand as tech enthusiasts, having conquered challenges, built projects, and formed connections that will last a lifetime.

As Tink-Her-Hack evolves with version 2, the impact on women in technology continues to grow. The event serves as a model for creating inclusive spaces, fostering learning, and empowering women to thrive in the world of technology. The journey of Tink-Her-Hack is not just about coding; it's about breaking barriers, building friendships, and paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive tech community.

Few Resources :

1. Tink-Her-Hack v1.0 - Website : https://www.tinkerhub.org/tink-her-hack
2. Tink-Her-Hack V.01 - Projects : https://www.tinkerhub.org/tink-her-hack/projects
3. The Hindu Article : https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/a-women-only-hackathon-throws-up-novel-ideas/article66323921.ece
4. Palakkad News :
5. Tink-Her-Hack v2.0 Registration : https://airtable.com/appGM7v7wYNWAPnBF/shrICzBSBHcX9Yns1