Empowering Women: Reshma Sanjani’s impact

Learn more about the Founder & CEO of Girls Who Code

Background:

Reshma Saujani is of Gujarati Indian decent & was born in Illinois, Chicago. She attended the University of Illinois where she majored in political science and speech communication and graduated in 1997. Later on, she went on to attend Harvard University and Yale Law School where she received a Masters in Public Policy and Juris Doctor. She went on to work as an attorney at various companies on Wall Street. In 2010, she entered the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. During the race, Reshma visited local schools and saw the gender gap in computing classes firsthand, which led her to start Girls Who Code.

Girls Who Code:

In 1995, 37% of computer scientists were women. Today, it’s only 24%. The biggest drop off of girls in computer science is between the ages of 13 and 17. In order to combat this, Reshma founded Girls Who Code. Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization that works to close the gender gap in technology. It’s mission is to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. As of now, Girls Who Codes’s resources have reached 500 million people & served 300,000 girls with 50% being girls from histrionically unrepresented groups. Girls Who Code provides free resources and also for club programs, college loops & hosts 2 week summer immersion programs.

Fun Fact:

Aastha Gupta, SWE’s Publicity Director, is the current president of Girls Who Code at Ohio State. Go give them a follow @gwc.ohiostate!!!