In Tech
Reshma saujani founded Girls Who Code to help close the gender gap in Tech. This aims to increase the innovation and global competitiveness in US economy. She initiated the campaign that addresses cultural and social stereotypes that girls have towards the Tech Industry. After partnering up with companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google, she set a goal to teach a million women to code by 2020. She is galvanising the industry to change hiring practices one woman at at time. She is an activist that aims to arms young women with the coding tools necessary to compete in the fast growing tech industry.
Reshma came up with the idea of creating Girls Who Code during her run for the United States Congress when she noticed that schools along her campaign route lacked girl in computer science classrooms. Girls Who Code run programs during the academic year teaching high school girls computing skills like programming, robotics and web design with sessions including projects and trips to companies like Twitter and Facebook where they take part in Industry Immersions.
She continues in her quest to educate young girls around America through Girls Who Code.
Career
Aside from being the founder of the tech organisation Girls who code, Reshma Saujani is an American lawyer and politician. She was previously the Deputy Public Advocate at the Office of the New York City Public Advocate. She did, however, loose the 2010 Democratic Primary for the US House of Representative against Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney. She was the first Indian-American woman (and the first South Asian American woman) to run for Congress. She came third when she ran for Democratic New York City Public Advocate.
Ted Talk
Through her non-profit, Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani initiates young women into the tech world by encouraging young women to be brave instead of perfect.
To request Reshma as a speaker, email webinfo@washingtonspeakers.com
Girls Who Code
There are now over 150 Girls Who Code clubs across America. By December 2014, three thousand students had completed a Girls Who Code program, 95% of whom went on to major in computer science at university.
65% of Clubs participants say they are considering a major or minor in Computer Science because of Girls Who Code. 90% of Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program participants said they were planning to major or minor in CS or a closely-related field.
A LETTER FROM RESHMA
"What started as an experiment has grown into a national movement
Girls Who Code has gone from 20 girls in New York to 10,000 girls in 42 states. That’s the same number of girls who graduate each year with a degree in computer science. That’s progress! I’m proud to say we’re not just aiming to close the gender gap in tech — we’re actually doing it.
When girls learn to code, they become change agents in their communities. Whether it’s a game to illustrate the experience of an undocumented immigrant or a website to provide free college prep, our girls create technology that makes the world a better place. Like us, you believed in girls’ unlimited potential. Thanks to your support and contributions, together we’ve inspired thousands of girls to see a future in tech."
Reshma's Quotes
“I want the next generation of Mark Zuckerbergs and Jack Dorseys to be women.”
“Fail hard, fail fast, fail often. It's the key to success. This one I've learned from experience.”
