Let me be honest: Some of my best ideas were either started by or honed through conversations with my fiancé. I find that I have to keep a notebook handy just to make sure I don’t lose gems she doesn’t even know she’s dropped. And she’s no where near a coder; in fact, some people probably wouldn’t consider her a techie at all.
[SIDEBAR: Those who have known me long enough know that my love affair with the Visual Studio IDE was started by a woman named Sara Ford.]
This morning I saw this article: This Is What Tech’s Ugly Gender Problem Really Looks Like (from WIRED via Nuzzel). It outlines a small sliver of the issues concerning women in tech. Said bluntly, there is a fount of mental and literal wealth tied up in the women we regularly interact with. In keeping with points raised during the keynote at Tampa Code Camp 2014, we owe it the community (and ourselves) to encourage them.
We need to encourage our female acquaintances, coworkers, friends and family who are in tech — both implementers and facilitators — to be as vocal and visible as possible in their respective bailiwicks. Doing so doesn’t cost us anything more than a passing mention when we see them… maybe 5 total minutes per person? And even that would be spread out over time. Think months or years.
The harvest that could come out of something so inexpensive, however, is priceless.
Just my 2¢.
Thoughts from "him" 
I fully agree with your thoughts in regard to community and the need for having a more open and inclusive community. I submit this is one of the reasons women has left the field. IT is not a fun or friendly place nowadays; at least when compared to 15 to 20 years ago. 20 years ago I worked in software engineering for Digital Equipment Corporation (RIP) and most of our groups had between 30 to 40% women. Of course, we had Grace Hopper to provide leadership in those days. Are there ANY leaders in the industry today?
Keep the faith!
Thanks for the insight! Hopefully between you, me and others like us we can turn the tide. 😉