In the last 30 years, the number of computer scientists who were women dropped from 37% to 24% and a majority of that drop-off occurs between the ages of 13 and 17. Girls Who Code, a nationwide program, is on a mission to close the gender gap by 2030, aiming to prepare its members to lead and improve the workforce instead of just entering it.
In a time where diversity, equity and inclusion have become the latest boogeyman in a culture war against all things black, brown, poor and non-binary, itโs nice to see that Girls Who Code fearlessly seeks to reach out to underrepresented minority groups and people from low-income backgrounds, proudly welcoming anyone identifying as female, regardless of their gender assignment at birth โ this includes those who identify as non-binary or gender nonconforming.
Ridgeview High School in Redmond and Caldera High School in Bend are just a pair of the schools in the Pacific Northwest that foster a Girls Who Code club. The Source Weekly reached out to computer science and math teacher and GWC Ridgeview founder Josh Davis, as well as Ridgeview students and three-year GWC members Shayanne Akenga and Caitlyn Pigg, to find out more about the club.ย
Source Weekly: How would you explain Girls who Code to the layperson?
Josh Davis: Itโs a nationwide collection of clubs of girls and non-binary students who use a shared interest in computers to programming to gain skills and give back to the community at large.รขยยฏOur project this year is to go to elementary schools in the spring and teach young girls coding games to introduce them to coding concepts and algorithmic thinking.
Shayanne Akenga: Itโs a program that will never make you feel out of place or not included because everyone is willing to help you succeed. It doesnโt matter if you have years of experience or none at all, youโll find people who are in the exact sameรขยยฏboat as you. You will fit right in with this club if you enjoy coding/technology and want a fun, new community by your side.
SW: What do you think makes GWC so important, especially in our current landscape?
JD: Girls and non-binary students are significantly underrepresented in the computing field.รขยยฏIf we are to solve the problems we are facing in this world (climate change, distribution of wealth, finite resources, etc.), we need everyoneโs perspective, especially those of girls and minorities.
Caitlyn Pigg: These programs teach important skills in not only coding, but other things such as the ability to work with others and problem solve. Especially in this technological time, itโs important to learn more, in order to navigate the world well equipped and prepared!รขยยฏ
SA: Currently, technology is expanding faster than ever, and we need as many bright minds as possible to tackle these complex and intricate inventions. Programs such as Girls Who Code are the perfect way to get involved at a younger age. They prepare you for real-life experiences and throw you in and prepare you to take these things on. Without having a diverse pool of technologists, engineers, scientists, etc., efficient progress will never be made.
SW: What do you hope to see GWC do for girls and women over the next decade?
JD:รขยยฏI would like nothing more than to see the broad field of computer science (software engineers, cybersecurity experts, data analysts, etc.) be a reflection of our society at large rather than a field made up of mostly white men.รขยยฏ
SW: What is your ultimate dream job in the future?
CP: I want to be a manager! My original plan was to be a part of a company that builds recreation centers, but I am open to any other kinds of career paths. Even though that isnโt exactly related to coding, I still believe it is extremely important to understand. In the modern world it is now essential to be educated in technology.
SA: My dream job is to become an astrophysicist, then Iโllรขยยฏwork my way up to becoming an astronaut for NASA.
SW: Anything you would like to add?
JD: We have an amazing group of girls currently who are leaders in our school and community who willingly give up their free time in order to be involved in Girls Who Code. They should be commended and are the young people who will go out and change the world for the better.
Talking with the three of them and learning more about Girls Who Code created some much-needed faith in the future. Letโs hope programs like this one survive the culture war witch hunt because a world that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion is a much better one than whatever Elon Musk, Kid Rock and Ted Nugent have planned. Check out girlswhocode.com for more information.
This article appears in The Source Weekly February 20, 2025.
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Thank you for highlighting the great work of GWC (Girls Who Code) and reminding us there are still good people in the world doing amazing things. I commend Josh Davis and all the students working together for such a worthy cause.