The lack of gender diversity in the tech sector is one of the most discussed topics in Silicon Valley and other tech hubs. The reasoning behind the low percentage of female tech professionals is attributed to a number of reasons. But one reason we want to stray away from is women and girls not having the proper tools or environments to learn tech, or the proper support system from professionals in the industry who share the same genetic makeup. Below are some of the most popular and successful organizations for both women in tech and girls who aspire to be.
Girl Develop It
Founded in 2010 in New York City with just one class, this nationwide organization thrives off of presenting adult women from all racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds with equal opportunities to learn web and software development. Now, seven years and 57 chapters later GDI has reached 57,000+ women through over 1400 classes and strives to make sure women from around the world with diverse backgrounds can learn software development and improve the confidence in their careers and everyday lives. For more information, visit www.girldevelopit.com
AnitaB.org
Formerly The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. AnitaB.org, founded in 1994 has been a flagship organization for women in the tech sector. The late Anita Borg started the organization to increase the impact of women on all aspects of technology and the positive impact of technology on the world’s women. They also extend outreach to women considering and currently pursuing careers in technology and computing through in person and online programs such as their ABIE Awards, AnitaB.org Lean In Circles, and social networks. One of the most notable things to come out of AnitaB.org is the Grace Hopper Celebration, the world’s largest gathering of women in tech. For more information visit, www.anitab.org
Black Girls Code
Catered to producing more women of color in STEM fields, BGC presents computer coding lessons to young girls ages 7-17, in underrepresented communities opportunities through workshops and after school programs. BGC has various events from Hackathons, Mobile App development workshops and many nationwide chapter events. Some BGC sponsors include Adobe, Google, Salesforce and Oracle to name a few. BGC even offers merch for all participants and supporters to sport. For more information visit, www.blackgirlscode.com
Girls Who Code
Founded on one solid mission “to close the gender gap in technology,” Girls Who Code was founded in 2012 as an experiment with just 20 girls and since then has blossomed into a network that will serve 40,000+ girls by the end of this year. GWC is located across the united states and offers three programs for young girls to take advantage of including: a summer immersion program, a clubs program for girls grades six through twelve and Girl Who Code campus, a two-week summer intensive. For more information visit, www.girlswhocode.com
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