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It's funny how 4 out of every 5 well-known personalities in the tech/media industry are male, especially when women Internet users now outnumber the men. Women in the industry seem to be getting relegated into second-rate experts, even when they can do the job every bit as well as men can. Why the "imbalance"?

There's no doubt that sexism is present in every industry in the world, so the tech/media industry is no exception. While the Internet itself doesn't lean towards the preference for male personalities, its users usually do -- it would seem that any statement, when made by a man, seems to be taken a little more seriously than if it were made by a woman.

This shouldn't be the case, as I know many women in the tech/media industry who really know their stuff and can do things most men can't even hope to. And if Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray can make it firmly on top of their own industries, then there's no reason women can't do the same in ours over here.

I think in order for Internet users to begin to take women more seriously, three things need to be done:

• Women bloggers need to be more active, vocal and knowledgeable in their respective industries. The most well-known personalities on the 'Net are those who have shown themselves as authorities in their niches -- something women can easily do.
• Women entrepreneurs need to reach beyond the Internet and market themselves more actively in the real world. Speaking at conferences, networking with their peers, and starting their own companies are some of the simpler things they can do.
• Internet users, both male and female, simply need to realize that women can do things just as well -- if not better -- than men in the tech/media industry.

Starting this week I'm going to try to feature certain women who have made significant impact in the tech/media industry and maybe even some information about how they got to where they are now. I really do believe that the industry will grow in leaps and bounds when women begin to play on a more level playing field.