Reshma Saujani
Pioneering Women
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Born in Illinois, she graduated from the University of Illinois, Harvard Kennedy School (of Government), and Yale Law School.
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She began her career as a lawyer and activist. She also served as deputy public advocate of New York City, an office linking the people with city government—a watchdog for the people.
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In 2010 she became the first Indian-American woman to run for U.S. Congress.
She did not win. But on the campaign trail, she visited local schools and noticed the gender gap in computer classes. It has been getting worse since the 1990s.
To help close this gap, she started Girls Who Code whose mission is:
…to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. We’re building the largest pipeline of future female engineers in the United States.
The national nonprofit equips girls to pursue 21st-century opportunities in technology. The movement is reaching millions through special programs and a bestselling book series. Alumni are majoring in computer-related fields at 15 times the national average.
She has also written three books. In Women Who Don’t Wait in Line, she encourages women’s leadership, risk and failure, mentorship and sponsorship, and charting your own course.
I’ve chosen opportunities where I might fail rather than live in the shadow of my own potential.
She serves on the board of She Should Run, promoting women in public leadership, and the International Rescue Committee, aiding refugees.