[rmiko]

Hi,

I'm a female co-captain of an FRC team that is about 1/3 female.
In the past 5 years of the team history, we've had 2 female co-captains, including myself.

I've found that a lot of girls who do join the team are less assertive, motivated (whatever you want to call it). There are also far fewer females in leadership positions.
This is of course not always true, there are females who join who are in it 110%. And there are males who join who are also passive.
I have also felt that when I, as a female leader, try to be assertive, I get called bossy or catty.
I don't want to elevate someone just for being female, but I feel this is relevant issue that my team doesn't talk about. Out of our mentors, 3 are male and help with building/designing/programming, 1 is male and helps with administration, and 2 are female and help with administration.

I feel like when I go to competitions, I see the same pattern. A handful (at most) of driven females on co-ed teams, and the rest are in supportive roles (not that being in supportive role isn't extremely helpful and useful). There are also very few female mentors, and even fewer technical ones.

I suppose what I'm asking is, does your team have strong female members?
Any female leaders/captains? mentors?
What is your witnessing the roles of females on your or other teams?
If you are a female on a team, what's your role, how do you feel about it, what do you want to be doing?

Thanks.