[morgante]

Exactly.

I've definitely interviewed female candidates for a small startup where they decided not to proceed once they found out they'd be the first woman on the team. I certainly don't hold it against them, but it really does make increasing diversity a lot harder if nobody is willing to be the first one.

It's a great example of how hard it can be to change the trajectory of systems even when everyone earnestly works towards change.

[Eridrus]

Have you considered asking them to help you recruit another woman from among their connections for your other open positions?

I don't know how well it would work, but it's an idea...

[morgante]

At the time we were only hiring a single engineer, but that's definitely a good suggestion.

[tomp]

Well I guess it's a good thing you avoided a few very sexist candidates...