How I Taught Millions Of Women The Most Important Skill: Girls Who Code Founder: Reshma Saujani

TL;DR

Reshma Saujani overcame personal struggles and failures to become the founder of Girls Who Code, inspiring thousands of girls to pursue coding and helping them make a positive impact in the world.

Transcript

i gotta figure out how to teach every single girl to code that's how the world's gonna be a better place founder of ceo of girls who code best-selling author reshma i was often bullied at school our house would get spray painted go back to your own country and my mother just takes a look at me and she's just crying and i remember thinking i will ne... Read More

Key Insights

• 💻 Girls Who Code: Reshma founded Girls Who Code to address the gender gap in coding and technology. The organization has reached half a million girls and has over 10,000 clubs worldwide.
• 📚 Teaching girls to code: Reshma's mission is to teach girls to code and empower them to make a difference in the world. She believes in changing the narrative and making coding cool for girls.
• 💔 The struggle of miscarriages: Reshma experienced multiple miscarriages while trying to build Girls Who Code and run for public office. She reflects on the personal sacrifices she made and the need to prioritize mental health.
• 🔥 From failure to success: Reshma bounced back from failures throughout her life, including losing a campaign and facing criticism. These experiences taught her resilience and the importance of learning from mistakes.
• 🧠 The Diary of a CEO: Reshma shares her story and insights on Stephen Bartlett's podcast, discussing her childhood, immigrant experience, and the challenges she faced as a social entrepreneur.
• 🎯 The immigrant generational gap: Reshma reflects on the sacrifices her parents made as immigrants and their focus on survival. As a first-generation immigrant, she had to navigate between their expectations and finding her own purpose.
• 💼 The value of education: Reshma pursued higher education, including applying to Yale three times, to gain the credentials she thought were necessary for success. She later realized that education doesn't define a person's worth or potential.
• ⛰️ Risk and success: Reshma challenges the notion that taking risks is a guarantee of success. Failure is a natural part of the journey, and it's important to learn from mistakes and persevere.
• 🚀 Building a movement: Reshma's experience in running for office and building Girls Who Code taught her valuable skills in storytelling, connection, and navigating challenges. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong team and being open to learning and evolving as a leader.
• 🌟 Fix the system, not the women: Reshma criticizes the focus on fixing women rather than addressing the systemic barriers that hold them back. She advocates for comprehensive structural changes to create a more equitable society.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Reshma's childhood experiences and background shape her journey and activism?

Reshma's experiences of being bullied and witnessing her parents' sacrifices as immigrants motivated her to be a voice for change and fight for gender equality in the tech industry. These experiences sparked her passion for empowering girls and making a positive impact in the world.

Q: How did Reshma overcome failure and setbacks in her career and personal life?

Reshma faced multiple miscarriages and experienced failure in her political career, but she used these setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Rather than giving up, she channeled her resilience and determination into founding Girls Who Code, allowing her to make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of girls.

Q: How did Girls Who Code become a global movement?

Girls Who Code started as a small initiative to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, but it quickly gained traction and grew into a global movement. Through partnerships, summer camps, and the establishment of girls who code clubs, Reshma and her team were able to reach thousands of girls and inspire them to pursue coding and make a positive impact in their communities.

Q: How did Reshma's perspective on success and validation change over time?

Reshma realized that constantly chasing external validation and accomplishments was not fulfilling. As she matured, she focused more on the impact and meaningful work she was doing, rather than seeking titles, awards, or recognition. This change in perspective allowed her to prioritize her mental health, set boundaries, and say no to opportunities that did not align with her values and goals.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, faced adversity and bullying throughout her childhood, which motivated her to be a vocal advocate for change.

• She ran for Congress and faced challenges, but this experience inspired her to start Girls Who Code and empower girls to pursue coding and technology.

• Girls Who Code quickly grew and expanded globally, sparking a movement to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry and inspire girls to bring positive change to the world.