Web Space As Women's Space

Nelly Yusupova is anything but lazy. A leader in the technology industry, Nelly runs a number of websites that create the Cybergrrl network, websites all geared toward linking women with one another. The Webgrrls International and Cybergrrl mission is "to empower women through promoting the use of technology in both their personal and professional lives." Webgrrls International networks women interested in tech and business, while Cybergrrl connects teen girls. The two other websites that complete the network are Femina, a general interest search directory for women's websites, similar to WWWomen, and DigitalWoman, Nelly's own firm that develops internet strategies for businesses expanding to utilize the internet. Nelly herself has an interesting background, starting when her family moved to the US from Tajikistan to escape the rising Taliban, learning English and computers, all the way to creating women's resources and being awarded a spot in the Real Hot 100 among many other honors.

You head up a number of projects that create the Cybergrrl network. What drives you to create these resources for women in particular?
Historically women have had fewer opportunities and as a result fewer role models to follow. We create the resources to both help women have access to the tools and the networking opportunities to help propel their careers forward and also to highlight what women are accomplishing and showcasing their success.

What is it about tech that really gets your juices flowing and inspired you to pursue this field?
When I started in technology the World Wide Web was still in its infancy. I saw what the opportunities were going to be and that with this new technology the playing field would be more level...it was the great equalizer. I knew there were paths to chart and challenges to face. And what's really exciting is that technology is always at the forefront of the future and with tech we can shape our lives.

What are some of the hardships you've come up against since starting your career in tech?
Being second guessed solely because I am a woman...having to prove my skills even when I am the most senior in the room is sometimes frustrating. It is the initial "can you go get us some coffee sweetie" attitude when a meeting starts that drives me crazy. But as soon as the conversation begins, my knowledge and experience becomes pretty apparent and they usually defer to my lead.

You have a phenomenal work background, including being covered in the Wall Street Journal and INC Magazine, and being a guest expert on the Today Show. What's it like to know that you're a minority in your field and so widely respected?
It is always an honor to be recognized and acknowledged for the work that one does and is especially pleasing when all of that hard work pays off.

What are some of the highlights you get from your work?
Having taken a role of leadership within the women's community, it pleases me beyond words when I see community members excel and succeed or someone get excited to pursue their dreams because of a conversation that we have had. When I can help and motivate others to pursue success and can see the results of that pursuit, to me that is a pretty awesome highlight. Solving problems and puzzles to me is very exciting. I can be working for hours and hours on a problem and getting more frustrated by the hour and then all of a sudden something I try resolves the issue and the excitement and the rush of victory just over take me and often I find myself jumping up and down in excited revelry.

What is your vision of the internet's potential for women? In other words, what life-altering abilities do you see the internet giving women?
The Internet offers freedom to women now more than before and will offer even more in the future. They will segment themselves based not on proximity but on areas of interest. The internet is a help mate for women both personally and professionally and will allow for even faster and easier access to information that will impact their lives. It will allow for better communication, more entrepreneurial opportunities for women, and an even more flexible work environment.