Girls Who Code – Not being perfect is perfectly normal

I hope you are enjoying this weekend, wherever you are in the world!

I added a new section called Tools and Companies where I share some good findings of the week. The “Who started everything“ section has now a founder’s timeline.

CONCAT The first digital agency led by talented refugee & female developers

You’re going to need coding in your sustainability career — Tannis Thorlakson

Alongside Math and Reading, Schools Are Now Teaching Happiness — Michaela Haas

Sophie Houser and Andrea Gonzales are Girls Who Code former participants who created “Tampon Run”, a video game that challenges menstrual stigma. The game went viral and was covered all over the world.

“Girls Who Code taught me to be fearless. Being in a field that doesn’t have a lot of people who look like me or come from the same background has been more of a barrier than I could have imagined. Without my Girls Who Code community, I wouldn’t have gone as far as I have today.” — Joyce Guo

“It’s okay to not have a single clue about what you’re doing. As crazy as that sounds, it really is perfectly normal. All that matters is that you want to learn and you’re willing to learn. Ask questions. Ask for help.” — Mackenzie Saephanh

“Girls Who Code taught me how to adapt to a male-dominated field and find empowerment in my work. I feel confident and ambitious to pursue my dreams and feel resilient when challenges arise.” — Kaylyn Torres

“Don’t be afraid to try new experiences and never let being “different” or “the first” stop you from pursuing your interests.” — Kaylyn Torres

https://www.bareminerals.com/blog/women-on-how-coding-changed-their-lives.html

Company • Girls Who Code

What they do • Free coding programs for girls, women and non-binary students

How they started • An election campaign where Reshma Saujani visited robot labs and computer science classes. There were only boys in those classes which led her to create Girls Who Code.

Areas of Impact • Girls’ Education, Poverty Alleviation

Saving the world • 500,000 girls, women and non-binary students since 2012

How they make money • Donations

Revenue • $27 million (2021)

Who started everything • Reshma Saujani

“I had naively thought that if I taught them, that they would get hired. We’re realizing that we’re still up against a lot of racism, a lot of sexism that still occurs in technology companies that purport to be fair and just and libertarian.” — Reshma Saujani

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Toxic tech culture.
Lack of women in computer science jobs.
Over 40% of female tech employees said they’d been sexually harassed by a superior.
Girls are forced to be perfect, avoiding taking risks. As a result, they are less likely to apply for a competitive job, learn a new field of study or ask for a pay rise.

Humiliated. Shattered. Excluded. That’s how Reshma Saujani felt after losing the election for the US House of Representatives. Her own party had advised her not to run for the election.

As part of her campaign, she visited robotics labs and computer science classes all over the US. She would often see classes full of boys trying to be “the next Mark Zuckerberg”.

I remember thinking to myself, ‘Where are all the girls?’ and that question stayed with me.”

She saw this lack of girls as a massive opportunity. In 2012, Girls Who Code started, with 12 students.

500,000 girls, women and non-binary students since 2012.

Over 50% come from underrepresented groups in tech.

Girls learn not only how to code and build software but more importantly: they socialise, share learnings and learn how to be brave through coding.

The coding process is full of trial and error. It requires perseverance and bravery. Not being perfect is perfectly normal.

Girls Who Code runs three different programs: Clubs, Summer programs and College programs (See what they are building).

Impact. Sisterhood. Build community. Build skills. Build a professional network. That’s what they will achieve by joining the programs.

$27 million in revenue (2021) – donations from partners

*Over $100 million in donations since 2012

Reshma Saujani

Timeline

Early 70s – Saujani’s family was forced by a dictator to leave their home country Uganda and moved to the US.
1975 – Reshma Saujani is born.
1988 – After suffering a racist attack, she launches Prejudice Reduction Interested Students Movement.
2008 – Leaves a career in finance and law to enter politics.
2010 – Saujani loses the election.
2012 – She found Girls Who Code.