Women in Joomla: Sandra Decoux

Art liberates you. It is the boundless, limitless, infinite field that allows you the freedom to express yourself. For this reason, I have always liked creativity, and throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to collaborate with creative people with more than just an artistic flair. This is also the reason I joined the JCM graphics production team. This is how I met Sandra Decoux.

Sandra reminds me of the term divine intervention. There have been numerous times when loads of work are pending, and all of a sudden, everything is done at once, as if a miracle happened! This is Sandra, our divine intervention. The sudden and out-of-nowhere help that comes at the right time. So, everyone, I present you our Sandra Decoux, our divine intervention, our miracle maker.

Sandra, can you please introduce yourself?

I'm Sandra, and I've been living in the French Alps near Annecy for a few years now. I've been running a website design agency for about 20 years, and I mainly work on websites in the Caribbean islands (Saint-Martin, St Barth, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands, Aruba...).

Can you give us some information about your role as a Joomla volunteer?

I'm currently in charge of producing the images for the JCM. I'm not as active as I used to be. I started about fifteen years ago in the Joomla Documentation and gradually worked my way up through many of the Project's teams - the list is long. Among other things, I've managed the Documentation, I’ve been the Communication & Marketing DC, GSoC admin, managed several project properties... 

What does Joomla mean to you?

I make my living with Joomla (all my sites are powered by Joomla) so you can easily imagine how important Joomla is for me.

In this world dominated by money and power, I love the philosophy of Joomla, an international project based on volunteerism. It's something quite unique and incredible, and it's been going on for nearly 20 years!

What makes you particularly happy volunteering for Joomla?

I started volunteering 15 years ago or so because Joomla being open source and free, I felt it was the least I could do to give back and help keep the project going at my little level. 
I've met some fantastic people and learned a lot working with people like Tom Hutchison and Michael Babker, to name just a few.

If you could change something about your whole Joomla volunteering experience, what would that be?

The only thing I would have liked to have seen was more respect, consideration and recognition for the work done by volunteers. I would have loved to have seen more volunteers, too, at least in the Communication and Marketing department. You can have the best software ever (which we have 😉), but unfortunately, without good marketing, you can’t expect to be well-known.

Do you think being a woman in the Joomla community makes a difference, and if so, how?

I don’t like making a difference between volunteering as a man or as a woman. Everyone comes with their own experience, character and culture, and that's what makes the project so rich, whatever your gender.

Would you encourage women to volunteer for Joomla, and why?

I would encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to volunteer for Joomla. Personally, I think it's important to give without expecting anything in return. You learn a lot by volunteering, and it's also a great way to progress and discover other cultures. And to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the world as a woman in technology?

As I already said, I don’t like making a difference between being a man or a woman in tech. I have always worked mainly with men, in tech or in other fields. The important thing for me is respect, not gender.  

Where can we find you? 

You can find me in the JCM team and on social media (even if I’m not really active on social media). If you want to contact me, the easiest way is on Mattermost or by email.

Sandra Decoux, thank you for sharing with us the details of your experience in the Joomla community and your ideas and expectations. Also, thank you so much for everything you have done and will continue to do for Joomla. You are an Amazing Joomla Woman and Volunteer, and we are lucky to have you with us.

For all of you, readers of this article and column, please stay tuned for more Amazing Joomla Women, from all over the world.