Why Building the #Sisterhood is the Key To Closing the Gender Gap: Q&A with Reshma Saujani and Marissa Shorenstein
For International Women’s Day, Girls Who Code founder and CEO Reshma Saujani and AT&T’s President for the Northern Region Marissa Shorenstein discussed their continued partnership, and how #Sisterhood is driving efforts to close the gender gap in technology.
Reshma: Marissa, I’m so excited to talk to you today because you are my definition of a sister. You and I have known each other a long time, and when I first approached you about Girls Who Code your response was: how can AT&T help? You’ve been among our first supporters — and one of our biggest supporters — since the very start of GWC. What inspired you to come on board?
Marissa: It was an easy decision, because I knew right away that your mission at GWC resonated — and continues to resonate — strongly with AT&T’s commitment to diversity in the workplace, as well as our philanthropic focus on education, which we have committed over $400 million to since 2008 through AT&T Aspire. It was also inspiring quite frankly to see a woman with your background, which was in law and politics, take on the gender gap in tech because you believed it was so important for our society,
even though you yourself are not a coder! I was excited to be a part of the Sisterhood you were building.
Reshma: Yes! And it only becomes clearer to me every year how important this work is.From your perspective, how has the tech ed landscape changed over the last six years, and what motivates you to continue our partnership?
Marissa: Since AT&T hosted our first GWC Summer Immersion Program cohort in 2012, we have seen an amazing growth in demand for computer science education, both in schools and summer programming. We have expanded our priorities to include support for STEM education in communities where it has not previously been available. It’s really a bottom line issue: AT&T’s talent needs are growing exponentially, and it’s critical to our future to ensure that the students of today grow into our workforce of tomorrow. This means every young woman, and every student, should have access to develop a solid background in
computer science.
Reshma: As you know Girls Who Code is about so much more than computer science education. Our mission is to close the gender gap, which means that in addition to empowering young women with computing skills, we also need to help them build a supportive community… what we call the #Sisterhood.
Why do you think it’s so important that we get more young women into the pipeline, and equip them the tools to stay there?
Marissa: We need women’s perspectives and voices — indeed, we need a wide diversity of perspectives — because we want to make the best products out there and make sure that our products work for everyone. The market for AT&T technology is growing as we expand into the content, media and advertising space. We want to provide opportunity for everyone to learn
critical computer skills, so that everyone can seek careers at AT&T and other growing companies.
Reshma: I completely agree. It’s insane to me that any company thinks they can innovate when the people building their products aren’t the same people using their products! So to stay on that theme of culture… as a host of the Summer Immersion Program, you have seen the Girls Who Code #Sisterhood at work firsthand. What is that experience like? Hosting 20 high school students for seven weeks must bring some changes to the
office!
Marissa: We look forward to the program every year. The students bring an amazing new energy to the office. The first week is always a challenge, because everyone is a bit shy and getting used to a corporate environment. It is wonderful to watch the students develop confidence and friendships, and every year we have seen them grow into a tight-knit sisterhood. One of our goals each summer is to open their eyes to the endless possibilities for women at AT&T and other companies. I speak to the students each year, and often provide mentorship to them once they finish the program. It has been gratifying to me personally to witness the unbelievable paths some of these students are taking. We have seen them take prestigious internships, win amazing scholarships, and head off to the most respected computer science
programs in the country. I’m confident that these students will grow into amazing women who will make their voices heard in the tech sector and beyond.
Reshma: Have you seen changes over the years in the students who participate in the summer program?
Marissa: AT&T has long recognized that having women at the table at every level is a business imperative. The girls who come through our doors have been consistently motivated and accomplished. What has changed is that we are seeing a bigger variety of backgrounds and interests — students who might not necessarily be interested in coding or computers, but many students who are interested in art, social justice, and health services. These students know that technology needs go beyond just tech companies, and they are seeking to build their foundation of computer science skills as they become more critical in every single career field.
Reshma: Absolutely — and that’s so much of the work that we do. It’s showing girls how technology connects to their passions. So finally, on a personal note, I want to ask you how the #Sisterhood has been there for you in your career. I know that for me, women like you have played a huge part in helping me get where I am. They have always written me my first checks, been my first calls after failures and setbacks. Has that been your experience?
Marissa: I’ve been fortunate to work with a number of inspiring women. Reshma, you are a great example: you saw a need to bring gender parity to the tech sector and you have had the vision and the persistence to push for change. On a personal level, I think you and I share the experience of working in leadership positions and recognizing the need to propel the next generation of diverse women to drive change.
