In reply to Peter Shaw.

For starters, can one officially say that any WordPress release was filled with the “BEST” for each role? I would lay $100 on the table right now to say that will be a big ole NOPE as there are so many amazing people in the WordPress Community that do not even contribute to core who would be more than qualified.

We should be sending a big kudos to Josepha for coming up with this idea and the over 75 people who identify as a woman choosing to want to be on this team. The 5.6 release is a huge stepping stone for inclusivity in tech. I know you have no idea what it is like being someone who identifies as a woman working in a more male-led world. It is hard. It is damn hard. We are paid less, thought to be less intelligent, and believed to be not up for the job. The 5.6 breaks all of those barriers showing the world that there are some brilliant women in the WordPress Community and helps us to set the standard for all areas of tech to wake up and see the woman.

No this is not “woke tokenism” but a display of some of the greatest minds in WordPress who may have been before stepped over for a man who someone may have thought more qualified because of their anatomy or the woman being pushed down so far that she does not realize her value.

Yes, it would be nice if we did not even have to do an “all” anything and everyone have an equal seat at the table. However, we must break through all of the stereotypes before that can happen. Typically, breaking down those walls and stereotypes involves drastic events like an all female WordPress release to get those changes to happen. Then once it becomes the norm of letting everyone have a chance, we can leave these types of conversations for the history books.