Microsoft and IBM women scoop technology awards

Seven British women have been honoured at the annual Women in Technology awards, which were held last night at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel in London.

The winner of the overall prize, the Women & Technology Award 2005, was Jackie Edwards, lecturer at De Montfort University. She is involved in the Women’s Access to Information Technology (WAIT) course that helps underprivileged women get access to education and return to work.

“The awards are important because they draw attention to highly accomplished women leading business critical projects developing and using technology,” said Glenda Stone, chief executive of Aurora and chairman of the judges.

“Women are becoming more sophisticated in their knowledge and use of technology. The outstanding quality and volume of entries proved that technology is an integral part of women’s business lives.”

Gillian Kent, managing director of MSN, won an award for women in the private sector. The judges particularly noted her work to protect children from online predators.

Meanwhile Sue McDougall, commercial and business controls executive at IBM UK, received the best mentor award for her work encouraging others within the company.

“I would like to congratulate all the women who have been put forward for these awards,” said Meg Munn, Deputy Minister for Women.

“Being recognised in this way is a great achievement and events like these can help raise awareness of women’s success and promote female role models in a traditionally male dominated field.”