Empowering girls in tech has been the driving force behind Reshma Saujani’s work since she founded Girls Who Code in 2012. Initially, an attorney and activist, Saujani’s 2010 congressional campaign led her to visit local schools, where she witnessed the gender gap in computing classes firsthand.
Her observations sparked a mission to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like. What started with 20 girls has grown into a global movement, reaching over 185,000 women and girls across the United States and internationally.
Saujani’s work extends beyond coding education, challenging societal expectations and encouraging bravery over perfection. By empowering girls in tech, she is shaping the future of the tech industry and fostering a more inclusive environment.
Key Takeaways
- Reshma Saujani founded Girls Who Code to address the gender gap in tech.
- Girls Who Code has grown from 20 girls to over 185,000 women and girls globally.
- The organization’s mission is to empower girls and change the image of computer programmers.
- Saujani’s work challenges societal expectations and encourages bravery over perfection.
- Girls Who Code is shaping the future of the tech industry by fostering a more inclusive environment.
The Journey of Reshma Saujani – Founder, Girls Who Code
Reshma Saujani’s congressional campaign in New York served as a catalyst for her to address the gender gap in the tech industry. During her campaign, she visited numerous schools, where she observed a concerning pattern: computer labs filled predominantly with boys, while girls were noticeably absent. This observation sparked a realization about the systemic issues preventing girls from entering tech fields and inspired her to take action.
From Attorney to Tech Education Pioneer
Reshma Saujani’s professional journey began in the legal field, where she worked as an attorney before transitioning into public service and advocacy. Her shift towards tech education was driven by her observations during the congressional campaign. Initially, she was taken aback by the lack of girls in computer labs, but soon, this concern became a driving force for her to initiate change. In 2012, she founded Girls Who Code, marking a significant turning point in her career and paving the way for thousands of young women to enter the tech industry.
The Congressional Run That Changed Everything
Saujani’s 2010 congressional run in New York became a pivotal moment that reshaped her career trajectory. While campaigning, she spent years visiting schools, observing the stark gender disparity in computer labs. This experience not only influenced her future work but also laid the foundation for her advocacy in tech education. The insights gained during this period were instrumental in shaping her mission to close the tech industry’s gender gap.
| Year | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Congressional Run in New York | Observed gender disparity in tech |
| 2012 | Founded Girls Who Code | Launched initiative to address gender gap |
| Present | Girls Who Code | Thousands of girls engaged in tech |
Reshma Saujani’s work has been instrumental in changing the landscape of the tech industry, and her contributions have been invaluable to the efforts aimed at creating a more inclusive environment for women in tech.
Founding Girls Who Code: A Mission to Close the Gender Gap
Reshma Saujani’s mission to empower girls in technology led to the founding of Girls Who Code, a pioneering organization aimed at closing the gender gap in tech.
Girls Who Code has been instrumental in transforming the tech industry by providing girls with the skills and confidence to pursue careers in computer science and other technology-related fields.
The Birth of an Organization
Girls Who Code began as a grassroots effort, with Reshma Saujani buying the URL and borrowing office space from a friend to launch the first Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. Initially, 20 girls were recruited for the program, marking the beginning of a significant movement to address the gender imbalance in computer science education.
Growth and Impact: Reaching 185,000+ Girls
Over nearly eight years, Girls Who Code has expanded dramatically, reaching over 185,000 girls across all 50 states, Canada, India, and the UK. The organization has developed a comprehensive approach, offering multiple programs including the 7-week Summer Immersion Program, after-school Clubs, College Loops for university students, and a 13-book New York Times best-selling series.
| Program | Description | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Immersion Program | 7-week program for girls to learn coding skills | All 50 states, Canada, India, UK |
| After-school Clubs | After-school program for girls to learn coding | Multiple locations |
| College Loops | Program for university students to network and learn | University campuses |
Changing the Image of What a Programmer Looks Like
Beyond teaching coding skills, Girls Who Code works to transform the cultural perception of what a programmer looks like, challenging stereotypes and creating new role models for young women interested in technology. By close gender gap in tech, Girls Who Code is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
Leadership Philosophy: Bravery Over Perfection
Reshma Saujani’s leadership philosophy is centered around the concept of “bravery over perfection,” a mantra that has resonated with millions through her influential TED Talk. This philosophy is rooted in her observation that girls are often socialized to avoid risk and seek perfection, while boys are encouraged to take risks and be brave—a disparity that follows women into their professional lives.
The “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection” TED Talk
Saujani’s TED Talk, “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection,” has garnered over four million views and sparked a national conversation about how we raise our girls. The talk emphasizes the importance of bravery in overcoming the societal expectations that constrain girls and women. By encouraging girls to take risks and be brave, Saujani argues that we can foster a more equitable and innovative society.
Hiring Smarter People and Empowering Teams
Saujani’s leadership philosophy extends to her management style, where she prioritizes hiring people who exceed her own expertise in their specific domains. She believes in empowering her team by giving them the autonomy to lead and contribute their strengths. As she notes, “I like to hire people that are smarter than me in the thing that I’m hiring them for.” This approach creates a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive.
Knowing When to Pass the Baton
An important aspect of Saujani’s leadership is recognizing when it’s time to step aside and pass responsibilities to others who can take the organization to its next phase. This involves knowing when to let go and trusting in the capabilities of others. Such a leadership approach ensures the continuity and growth of the organization, even if it means transitioning out of a leadership role.
| Leadership Philosophy | Key Elements | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Bravery Over Perfection | Encouraging risk-taking and bravery | Fosters a more equitable society |
| Hiring Smarter People | Empowering teams and autonomy | Creates a collaborative environment |
| Knowing When to Pass the Baton | Recognizing the right moment to step aside | Ensures organizational continuity and growth |
Stepping Down as CEO: A Strategic Transition
After nearly a decade at the helm of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani made a pivotal decision to step down as CEO in 2021, marking a significant transition in the organization’s leadership. This move underscored her commitment to succession planning and organizational sustainability.
Finding the Right Successor in Tarika Barrett
Saujani found her successor in Tarika Barrett, who had been with the organization since 2016, initially as the vice president of programs and later as the chief operating officer in 2018. Saujani reflects on the moment she knew Tarika was the right person for the role, stating, “The minute I met her, I was like, you’re the one.” This decision was crucial for the success of Girls Who Code, ensuring continuity and the ability to thrive under new leadership.
The Art of Letting Go: “The Hardest and Best Decision”
Saujani describes stepping down as “the hardest decision and one of the best decisions I ever made.” This transition was facilitated by a coach, the team, and the board of directors, ensuring a smooth handover and preventing any potential tensions. Saujani’s decision to step down as CEO of Girls Who Code and become its board chair in 2021 was a testament to her founder leadership and commitment to the organization’s future.
Beyond Girls Who Code: Expanding Her Impact
Reshma Saujani has expanded her impact beyond Girls Who Code by launching and supporting several key initiatives that benefit working parents and families. After transitioning from her role as CEO of Girls Who Code, Saujani has continued to drive change through various initiatives that address the needs of working parents and caregivers.
PaidLeave.ai and Advocacy for Working Parents
Saujani launched PaidLeave.ai, a generative AI chatbot designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the complex process of accessing state paid family leave benefits. She has also partnered with organizations like Theraflu and A Better Balance to educate workers about their rights regarding paid sick time, demonstrating her commitment to practical solutions for working families. This initiative highlights her focus on work-life balance and family needs.
Moms First Initiative
Recognizing the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers, Saujani created the Marshall Plan for Moms, which evolved into Moms First, an organization dedicated to women’s economic empowerment. As CEO of Moms First, she advocates for legislative policies that support mothers in the workforce and addresses systemic barriers that working parents face, ensuring they have the time to care for their families.
Books and Public Speaking
Saujani continues to be a prominent figure through her books and public speaking engagements, where she shares her insights on bravery and resilience. Her work has been instrumental in shaping the conversation around women’s empowerment and the need for supportive family policies, including leave policies that allow parents to balance their work and family responsibilities effectively.
| Initiative | Focus | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| PaidLeave.ai | Access to paid family leave benefits | Supports working parents and caregivers |
| Moms First | Women’s economic empowerment | Advocates for legislative policies supporting mothers |
| Books and Public Speaking | Women’s empowerment and bravery | Influences public discourse on family and work policies |
Personal Challenges and Growth
Reshma Saujani’s journey to empowering girls in tech is well-documented, but her personal struggles reveal a more nuanced story. Despite her professional successes, she has faced significant personal challenges that have profoundly influenced her life and work.
Navigating Fertility Struggles and Motherhood
Reshma Saujani has been remarkably transparent about her personal struggles with fertility, sharing her experience of five miscarriages over a decade while simultaneously building her global organization, Girls Who Code. She poignantly describes how her professional triumphs were often juxtaposed with personal losses: “Every success I had, like my TED Talk and the launch of Girls Who Code, was punctuated by another miscarriage.” After taking control of her medical journey, Saujani was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), which helped explain the recurring pregnancy losses she had experienced. Her path to motherhood included a high-risk pregnancy with her first son and later choosing surrogacy for her second child, decisions she has openly discussed to normalize these experiences for other women.
Saujani’s willingness to share these deeply personal challenges reflects her broader mission of breaking down stigmas and encouraging women to advocate for themselves in all aspects of life. By sharing her fertility struggles, she has helped reduce the shame many women feel around fertility issues, creating a supportive community for those facing similar problems.
Balancing Leadership and Family Life
Saujani’s journey as a leader and a mother has not been without its challenges. She has had to balance her leadership role at Girls Who Code with her family life, a thing she has found to be a significant challenge. Despite the challenges, she has been able to navigate this complex life by being open and honest about her experiences, helping to create a more supportive environment for women in leadership positions who face similar problems. Having her family, especially her baby, has been a crucial aspect of her personal growth and fulfillment.
Conclusion: Reshma Saujani’s Legacy and Ongoing Influence
Through her work with Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani has created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire young women to pursue careers in technology.
Reshma Saujani’s legacy extends far beyond founding a coding organization; she has fundamentally changed how we think about gender in technology and leadership. Through Girls Who Code, she has directly impacted over 185,000 girls across multiple countries, creating a generation of girls and women prepared to enter and transform the tech industry.
Her “Brave, Not Perfect” philosophy has become a rallying cry for women and girls across various fields, encouraging them to embrace risk-taking and resilience. As the founder of Girls Who Code, Saujani continues to evolve as a leader, demonstrating how women can reinvent themselves and expand their impact in different spheres.
The ripple effects of Saujani’s work will continue for generations as the girls empowered through her programs become leaders who further transform technology, business, and society.
## FAQ
### Q: What is the primary mission of Girls Who Code?
A: The primary mission of Girls Who Code is to close the gender gap in the tech industry by empowering young women to pursue careers in computer science.
### Q: How does Girls Who Code achieve its mission?
A: Girls Who Code achieves its mission through various programs and courses that provide girls with the skills and confidence to succeed in technology. The organization has impacted over 185,000 girls across the United States.
### Q: What is the significance of the “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection” TED Talk?
A: The “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection” TED Talk, delivered by Reshma Saujani, emphasizes the importance of bravery over perfection in empowering girls to take risks and pursue careers in tech.
### Q: How has Girls Who Code contributed to changing the image of programmers?
A: Girls Who Code has helped change the image of programmers by showcasing diverse and inclusive representations of the tech industry, highlighting that women and girls can be successful programmers and tech leaders.
### Q: What is PaidLeave.ai, and how does it relate to Reshma Saujani’s work?
A: PaidLeave.ai is an initiative by Reshma Saujani that advocates for working parents and provides resources to help them navigate paid leave. This initiative is part of her broader work on women’s empowerment and family-friendly policies.
### Q: How does Reshma Saujani balance her leadership and family life?
A: Reshma Saujani has spoken publicly about the challenges of balancing leadership and family life, including her experiences with fertility struggles and motherhood. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and support systems for working parents.