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How Girls Who Code is helping close the gender gap in the tech industry
If you are familiar with computer science, you will know that there are a plethora of computer programming languages.
Yet, if I was to try and explain the functions of each of these languages I would definitely be lost in translation. I don’t know how to code, but I can distill to you the important work the non-profit organization, Girls Who Code, are doing to make sure that more women know how to.
This national non-profit organization is driven by the mission to close the gender gap within the tech industry.
Girls Who Code are dedicated to exposing women to the fields of computer science and technology, providing them with the crucial skills and experiences to occupy jobs in STEM that are available now, and are expected to grow significantly within the decades to come.
With tech jobs growing at an unprecedented rate, Girls Who Code are committed to making sure that women are a part of the forward trajectory that characterizes the industry.
Girls Who Code is composed of women from a variety of backgrounds and from all over the nation. The non-profit offers nation-wide services that include after-school programs, programs on college campuses, as well as a 7-week summer immersion program.
With the organization running on its sixth year now, Girls Who Code has managed to incorporate a huge group of women under its name as well as acquire support and partnerships with major companies.
While the non-profit focuses on the fields computer science and technology, Founder of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani, maintains that the non-profit is emblematic of a larger movement dedicated to empowering women and eliminating job discrimination for women in all industries.
SISTERH>>D
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SISTERH>>D. Tomorrow. It’s time to celebrate the power of girls. #sisterhood
In anticipation of International Day of the Girl, on October 11th, Girls Who Code has also crafted a digital visual album titled, Sisterh>>d.
It is a piece that is indicative of the organizations’ investment in promoting collectivity and community between young women all over the world and fostering a strong level of sisterhood necessary for the project of paving a way for a more inclusive future.
The visual album highlights an array of influential women from around the world, whose groundbreaking work in their respective industries, from tech, politics, fashion, art, music and more, is cause for celebration.
The videos’ anthem is a fresh retake of the 1970s track “O-o-h Child,” originally sung by the Chicago soul family group, The Five Stairsteps. Looking back to the decade of the 1970’s; a historical moment marked by its political activism, the song choice is demonstrative of the visual album’s s intention of spotlighting the new generation of young women who are formulating the politicized movements of today.
The video features footage of young girls typing away on laptops, showing off their athletic skills, expressing themselves through dance, as well a notable transition in which a young black woman dishes conscious and empowering lyrics at a podium instead of fear-mongering political rhetoric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=_EJlokqwml0
There is definitely a sense of hope and optimism being enacted through the visual album. The gleaming smiles of these young aspiring women radiate off the screen.
Just as the original sampled lyrics suggest, viewers can’t help but agree that “Things are gonna be brighter,” and that Girls Who Code is making an important contribution in changing the landscape for women to enter industries that historically have not been designed to fit them nor afford them opportunities.
Girls Who Code has ultimately created a sonic and cinematic piece that importantly advocates young women to continue to “bring your vision to the table.”