Valenzuela, 33, who is a former board member of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, said one large factor barring Latina women from the tech industry is unconscious bias, with recruiters hiring people from the same backgrounds.
Sign with green colored logo amid landscaping, with facades of buildings in background, near the headquarters of Apple Computers in the Silicon Valley, Cupertino, California, August 26, 2018. The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley has worked to bridge this gap by focusing on education. The Latino in Technology Scholarship was created to help young Latinas from Santa Clara County or who attend a university in the area enter the tech industry.
Despite the hurdles for young Latinas, there are advocates working to connect these women to future employers. Gabriela Chavez-Lopez, executive director of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, said her organization is hosting the Futura Fest later this month -- aimed at helping Latinas navigate entering different industries, including the tech sector. The organization also offers various programs that help Latinas build a support network.