I often wonder why I didn’t think about creating a “Girls Who Code” organization. I always had this hunch that computer technology would be the great equalizer for women, and for the world, and although I saw the gap in gender diversity, it was many years before I actually took action to address it.
In my earlier days, computer technology in the home was only as sophisticated as a ping-pong game (you played against the computer) and BASIC coding. Sure, we had the video arcade, but who could afford to bring those bulky, large, overwhelming machines home to play in your bedroom?
Back in the late 1980’s when I graduated from Brown University with a degree in Computer Science, I was fortunate to be in the first graduating class to be conferred with a Comp Sci degree vs. an engineering degree with a designation of ‘having studied Computer Science’. Even then I had a lot of ideas about how computers could be used in the realm of educating others. I dreamed about ways in which computer animation could be combined with music to teach pre-K and elementary school lessons. I envisioned, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could put computer graphics to music while using images of people, letters and numbers to program the computer to teach nursery rhymes or tell a bedtime story; or perhaps use the computer to “rap” to young urban children so that they can learn their “A, B, C’s”; or maybe, just maybe, we can use computer animation to help people of all ages learn to read?” I always knew that computer technology could empower everyone to learn and achieve greatness. But in those days all I had access to was an IBM 3270 ‘dumb terminal’ and a mainframe, and that was at the office. Personal computing was coming, but not yet realized, and certainly not in every home.
But all the while I was dreaming, something else wasn’t adding up. When I attended college my class was 50/50 women to men, but in the workplace somehow I was an anomaly – I was working with and for men, and rarely saw a woman or a person of color in my office. In college we seemed to be on equal footing; I never questioned could we or would we achieve parity in this ‘brand new world’ of Computer Science? But somewhere along the way we left the girls behind. Collectively we gave girls the impression that science and math is something only boys do well. We gave girls the impression that unless you wear ‘thick rimmed eye glasses’ and ‘carry a pocket protector’ that maybe you don’t fit in the world of technology. Somehow we gave girls the impression that beauty and brains are mutually exclusive. We forgot to be role models for young women in the technology revolution.
The images of someone with a Computer Science degree certainly didn’t reflect me. From the classroom to the boardroom we put girls and diversity on the back burner. We neglected to inform girls that, yes, you CAN do science and math and NO, you don’t have to carry the GEEK persona. Not to say that there is anything wrong with the being “geeky”, but we failed to state that this is not a requirement for C.S.
What we should have said is that the benefit to Computer Science and coding is that you improve your ability to reason, to solve problems logically. We didn’t say that people with a strong background in math and science have the tools to be innovative and express their creativity. We didn’t say that technology is in everything that we do, so if you enjoy the world of fashion then we need you to design the next wearable tech item. We didn’t say that if you like dancing and choreography that you should be an animator or illustrator for video games focused on fitness and dance. We also didn’t say that with a pretty good foundation in math and science you might launch your own business and be your own boss, an entrepreneur. No, we forgot about our little sisters and continued to show images of men in tech wearing plaid shirts, glasses stuffed in their front pockets, unkempt hair styles, and devoid of diverse skin colors.
So, as I watch 300 young ladies in Times Square on the red TKTS steps, I marvel at the revolution that is just beginning to take hold since I received my degree in computer science. Not only do I well up with pride to see GIRLS beaming with excitement on this day, a day when Girls Who Code gets exclusive access to Microsoft, our people, our offices and a panel of stellar women in tech, but I marvel at the sheer number of young high school enthusiasts who are pushing the boundaries to learn computer coding inclusive of all things like video game development, web development, UX design, robotics, as well as the core computer algorithms and programming. What a fortunate opportunity to host these young ladies and participate on a speaking panel of all women: the founder of Girls Who Code, the first CTO for NYC, a former producer of ABC television shows who is now the CEO of a venture capital firm, and Hillary Clinton’s technology lead for her political campaign… I had to pinch myself and say, really? Look at all of this wonderful girl power, I can still feel the energy in the room as it holds no bounds for these young women!
Seeing hundreds of girls on the “red steps” and bringing them into the 11TS office of Microsoft signified for me that we’re finally, finally on our way. OK, so it may have taken 25 years to get the message out and build the coalition that is so needed, but I am very proud to know that Reshma and Girls Who Code did what I failed to do; rise up and hold out my hand.
I’m so proud to be at Microsoft who recognizes the importance of computer science and coding skills as a means to empower all people, and particularly the young ladies and women who participate in programs like Girls Who Code. I still don’t know why I didn’t start Girls Who Code, but I am certainly glad to be a part of the technology revolution and putting an emphasis on getting more girls engaged in C.S. and tech careers. I think we are finally making a real impact on uniting girls in the tech world! Hmmm ….. maybe that’s what I’ll call my next endeavor: ‘UNITED for CODE’ 🙂
To learn more about Microsoft’s commitment to youth and education, visit our YouthSpark Hub or follow us on twitter at @msftcitizenship.