Personalities that
We Recognize and Respect

Reshma Saujani

Founder of Girls Who Code and an internationally recognized voice advocating for gender equality in technology

Reshma Saujani is an Indian-American lawyer and activist who has become a powerful voice in promoting gender equality in technology. In 2012, she founded Girls Who Code, an organization that has impacted millions of girls by providing coding education and encouraging female participation in the industry.

Her political journey began when she ran for US Congress in 2010, becoming the first Indian-American woman to run for office. During her campaign, she noticed the lack of girls in technology and decided to take action. Since then, she has dedicated her career to driving change in the workplace for women.

In addition to her work with Girls Who Code, Reshma currently leads the Marshall Plan for Moms, an initiative focused on policies that support working mothers, including parental leave and equal pay. As a speaker and bestselling author, she advocates that women should trade the pursuit of perfection for the courage to face challenges and grow professionally.

Learn more about this relevant leadership by accessing the links below.

Essential Biography

WIKIPEDIA:
Reshma Saujani

WHERE TO FIND:
Link to wikipedia (in English) here

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW:
The Wikipedia page on Reshma Saujani details her personal life, academic background, professional career, including her work as a lawyer, her political campaigns, the founding of the non-profit organization Girls Who Code, as well as her publications and awards.

Inspiring Book

TITLE:
“Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder”

WHERE TO FIND:
Link to Amazon page (in English) here

WHY READ IT:
In this book, Reshma Saujani discusses how women are often raised to strive for perfection, while men are encouraged to be courageous. She argues that letting go of the fear of failure is essential for women to reach their true potential, sharing insights from her experience with Girls Who Code.

Remarkable Article

TITLE:
“Stop coddling girls if we want them to lead: Girls Who Code founder”

WHERE TO READ:
Access the article by clicking here

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN:
In this interview with CNBC, Reshma Saujani discusses the challenges of gender equity in the tech industry and how her organization is working to transform this landscape by providing opportunities and resources for girls interested in coding.

Thought-provoking TED

TITLE:
“Teach girls bravery, not perfection”

WHERE TO WATCH:
Access the program by clicking here

WHY YOU SHOULD READ:
In this thought-provoking TED Talk, Reshma Saujani shares her insights into how society teaches girls to avoid risks and strive for perfection, and how this mindset limits their potential. She advocates for the importance of fostering courage from an early age, allowing girls to venture out and innovate.

Thought-provoking TED

TITLE:
“Teach girls bravery, not perfection”

WHERE TO WATCH:
Access the program by clicking here

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Founded by Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization that aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science. Through educational and mentoring programs, the organization has inspired and empowered thousands of girls to pursue careers in technology.

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