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We can learn and use the names of women who contribute to Open Source projects. In the Perl community, Allison Randal and Audrey Tang come to mind. There are many other prominent and talented women in other groups. We can recognize and encourage contributions to Open Source projects that aren't code. The FLOSSPOLS study on gender issues pointed out that women are more likely to engage in areas not considered technical by the community—documentation, design, mailing-list moderation and advocacy. What if projects gave the equivalent of commit access to graphic designers and conference speakers?

We can talk to women who come to user group meetings and invite them to speak. By being friendly and asking women directly to speak up, we open the door for participation. If we insist on equal participation, the structure of our organizations will change. The first time I spoke up in a user group was terrifying, but I did so because a peer politely, but repeatedly, asked me to speak.

We can learn from research about increasing diversity. I'm sure smart people have summarized, put together lists of bullet points, and made handbooks to show how to do it. Certainly, organizations dedicated to fixing inequalities will be touchstones for change. But we need more than leadership to change our culture. We each can take steps now to make women feel like there is a place for them in our communities.