But I believe that females should still have equal rights.

And yet, I don’t want to be announcing to the world that there aren’t enough women in tech. By participating in events where prominent women talk about their struggle in managing femininity, balancing work and family life, and climbing the career ladder, it’s calling attention to it. It’s the same story—that we need to be in this together to survive.

Unlike a clear obstacle of language and new culture, can’t we overcome it easily just by our strengths and skills?

Maybe there’s something I am missing. Or is it just me?

This morning, I walked in on the early side. Several women had already arrived. My female coworkers were slowly congregating around a bag of donuts (national donut day!). One male coworker had arrived and was working diligently at his desk. Like the others, I was attracted to the donuts and joined the circle of females. But all at once, it felt awkward to be there—not like other times where beauty and gossip were the prime topics. It was as if I couldn’t relate. Regardless, I found myself returning to my desk, trying to construct a simple breakfast. Of bananas and Peruvian cereal.

And returning to a world where my closest friends are male. Yet I still enjoy the easy vulnerability that being female brings. But I want to dismiss all the assumptions that it suggests.