WP Tavern #107 – Michelle Frechette on Advocating for Accessibility and Diversity in the WordPress Community
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Jan 24, 2024 Michelle Frechette, with a long history of community involvement, discusses diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the WordPress community. She shares her experiences at WordPress events, the wider goals of inclusivity, and coping with those who disagree with her quest for change.
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Michelle's WordPress Origin Story
- Michelle Frechette discovered WordPress by helping a friend build a nonprofit website with WordPress.
- She learned hosting and domain skills over dinner and quickly became a full-time WordPress professional.
Turning Controversy Into Inclusion
- The All Women Non-binary Release Squad sparked controversy but grew awareness for diversity.
- Michelle helped create Underrepresented in Tech to connect diverse people with opportunities in WordPress.
Proactively Encourage Diversity
- Actively invite diverse speakers and ask them to propose multiple topics.
- This ensures topics fit the event and encourages participation beyond historical patterns.