Data science increasingly affects every aspect of modern life from setting monetary policy, modeling climate change impacts, to how and where healthcare is administered. Data Science and its related areas are critically reshaping our world, yet women are still significantly underrepresented: they represent less than 20% of students and less than 10% of decision makers. Numerous studies cite this disparity as having a potentially dire impact on our societies. It is imperative that we invest in Women in Data Science and increase their representation to:

• mitigate unconscious biases that can corrupt analytical and predictive models, resulting in decisions and designs that exacerbate inequalities, deepen divisions, and underserved populations
• ensure that critical issues for women, such as women’s healthcare and safety, are treated as a priority and accelerated
• ensure that economic justice & prosperity are accessible to all
• address talent shortage challenges in the workforce