Star Simpson

(D) Positively, as you appreciate the attempt to make the world a better place, but you always feel haunted, during the talk and after, that you were simply a token, and that your career & accomplishments aren't objectively good enough to get a simple speaking gig.

can sympathize. What to suggest? Obviously ideal would be for neither labels or biases to be at play & speaking rosters to be equally populated (or however it shakes out) But on the way there: intentionally invite women but don’t mention? Mention anyway? Address only root causes?

I think my ideal is to be wanted for my thoughts or work, both of which I think warrant speaking invites! Being asked to join “as a woman” (or other identifier) has the feel that my presence does more for the organizer than they will do for me.