Girls Who Code

{{Short description|Nonprofit organization}}

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| formation = 2012

| founder = Reshma Saujani

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| leader_name2 = Tarika Barett

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Girls Who Code (also known as GWC) is an international nonprofit organization that aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science. Among its programs are a summer immersion program, a specialized campus program, after-school clubs, a college club, College Loops,{{Cite web |title=Lessons from Leaders: Girls Who Code's Reshma Saujani |url=https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/lessons-from-leaders-girls-who-code-s-reshma-saujani/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=www.thomasnet.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Girls Who Code Launches Its First-Ever Program Dedicated To… |url=https://girlswhocode.com/news/girls-who-code-launches-its-first-ever-program-dedicated-to-supporting-college-aged-women-in-technology |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Girls Who Code |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002181912/https://girlswhocode.com/news/girls-who-code-launches-its-first-ever-program-dedicated-to-supporting-college-aged-women-in-technology |url-status=live }} and a series of books.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/09/10/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/|title=Children's Middle Grade Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - September 10, 2017 - The New York Times|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-12-01|language=en|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416091823/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/09/10/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/|url-status=live}} The organization is based in New York and has programs in all of the United States,{{Cite news |last=Hinton |first=Marva |date=September 14, 2016 |title=Nonprofit Hopes to Increase Number of 'Girls Who Code' Through Big Expansion |work=EducationWeek }} Canada,{{Cite web |date=2018-11-08 |title=Girls Who Code Expands Free Programming to Canada to Help Close the Gender Gap in Technology |url=https://startupheretoronto.com/type/startup-news/girls-who-code-expands-free-programming-to-canada-to-help-close-the-gender-gap-in-technology/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=StartUp HERE Toronto |language=en-CA |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004024051/https://startupheretoronto.com/type/startup-news/girls-who-code-expands-free-programming-to-canada-to-help-close-the-gender-gap-in-technology/ |url-status=live }} India, and the United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last=Careers |first=Entain |title=Entain launch partnership with Girls Who Code |url=https://www.entaincareers.com/en/life-at-entain/entain-life/entain-launch-partnership-with-girls-who-code/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Entain Careers |language=en-GB |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004033236/https://www.entaincareers.com/en/life-at-entain/entain-life/entain-launch-partnership-with-girls-who-code/ |url-status=live }} As of 2022, there were more than 500,000 Girls Who Code alums.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Girls Who Code Founder Reshma Saujani Reveals Her Quirky Secret of Pay Negotiation |url=https://observer.com/2023/09/girls-who-code-reshma-saujani-pay-equity/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Observer |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202215710/https://observer.com/2023/09/girls-who-code-reshma-saujani-pay-equity/ |url-status=live }}

History

File:Girls Who Code logo with Reshma Saujani.jpg

Girls Who Code was founded by Reshma Saujani in 2012 who came up with the idea of creating the organization during her run for the United States Congress. Reshma's inspiration stemmed from finding that schools along her campaign route lacked female representation in computer science classrooms. The organization began under the White House Science & Technology Initiative.{{Cite web |title=WSL Wants To Bring 'Girls Who Code' To The UK |url=https://www.weirdsciencelab.com/news/2017/3/31/girls-who-code-uk |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Weird Science lab |date=31 March 2017 |language=en-GB}} The second hire and founding curriculum director was Ashley Gavin before her career as a comedian.{{Cite web |last=Venkatram |first=Anulekha |date=2014-11-19 |title=A Peek Inside Her Agenda: Ashley Gavin |url=https://heragenda.com/power-agenda/ashley-gavin/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Her Agenda |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-08-16 |title=Seven Minutes in Heaven with Comedian Ashley Gavin - GO Magazine |url=https://gomag.com/article/seven-minutes-in-heaven-with-comedian-ashley-gavin/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=gomag.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417082056/https://gomag.com/article/seven-minutes-in-heaven-with-comedian-ashley-gavin/ |url-status=live }} Girls Who Code runs programs during the academic year teaching high school girls computing skills such as programming, robotics, and web design,{{cite news |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/reshma-saujanis-ambitious-plan-for-technology-1415237831 |title= Reshma Saujani's Ambitious Plan for Technology |date= November 5, 2014 |access-date= February 14, 2015 |first= Christopher |last= Ross |work= Wall Street Journal |archive-date= April 16, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090320/https://www.wsj.com/articles/reshma-saujanis-ambitious-plan-for-technology-1415237831 |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url= http://www.cbsnews.com/news/girls-who-code-leading-charge-for-women-in-computer-science/ |title= Aiming for 1 million "Girls Who Code" |date= December 11, 2014 |access-date= February 15, 2015 |work= CBS News |archive-date= April 17, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210417145836/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/girls-who-code-leading-charge-for-women-in-computer-science/ |url-status= live }} with sessions including projects and trips to companies such as Twitter and Facebook.{{cite web | title=No boys allowed: Girls Who Code takes on gender gap | website=USA TODAY | date=August 15, 2014 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/08/12/girls-who-code-facebook-sheryl-sandberg/13784445/ | access-date=February 15, 2015 | author=Guynn, Jessica | archive-date=April 16, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090321/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/08/12/girls-who-code-facebook-sheryl-sandberg/13784445/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web |url= https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/14/girls-who-code-expands-to-get-more-young-women-in-computer-science-majors/ |title= Girls Who Code Expands To Get More Young Women In Computer Science Majors |work= Tech Crunch |date= December 14, 2014 |access-date= February 15, 2015 |first= Sarah |last= Buhr |archive-date= April 16, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090320/https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/14/girls-who-code-expands-to-get-more-young-women-in-computer-science-majors/ |url-status= live }} As of 2014, there were more than 1,500 Girls Who Code clubs across America. By December 2014, three thousand students had completed a Girls Who Code program, 95% of whom stated they desired to major in computer science in higher education.{{cite magazine |url= https://time.com/3062885/girls-who-code-google-facebook/ |title= Cracking the Girl Code: How to End the Tech Gender Gap |magazine= Time |date= July 31, 2014 |first= Eliana |last= Dockterman |access-date= February 15, 2015}} According to the organization's 2022 report, there are approximately 185,000 college or post-college age alumni who have completed the program.{{cite web |title=Girls Who Code Annual Report 2022 |url=https://girlswhocode.com/2022report/}}

In 2019, the organization announced plans to expand to 10,000 clubs in all 50 states.{{cite web |last1=Barry |first1=Erin |title=A nonprofit is trying to close the gender gap in tech by teaching girls to code 'as young as we possibly can' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/29/girls-who-code-aims-to-close-gender-gap-in-tech.html |website=CNBC |language=en |date=29 September 2018 |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505140025/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/29/girls-who-code-aims-to-close-gender-gap-in-tech.html |url-status=live }} In 2020, Girls Who Code launched a free 2-week virtual Summer Immersion Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the program serving 5,000 girls in its first year.{{cite web |title=How nonprofits are transforming their remote programming to support girls in STEM |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/11/how-nonprofits-are-transforming-their-remote-programming-to-support-girls-in-stem/ |website=VentureBeat |date=11 December 2020 |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518182314/https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/11/how-nonprofits-are-transforming-their-remote-programming-to-support-girls-in-stem/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Girls Who Code looks to hard hit rural areas this summer |url=https://fortune.com/2020/06/29/girls-who-code-looks-to-hard-hit-rural-areas-this-summer/ |website=Fortune |language=en |access-date=2021-05-05 |archive-date=2021-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505140027/https://fortune.com/2020/06/29/girls-who-code-looks-to-hard-hit-rural-areas-this-summer/ |url-status=live }}

The organization is sponsored by several software and technology companies, including AOL, Google, and Microsoft,{{cite web | last=Bilton | first=Nick | title=Tech Companies Announce 'Girls Who Code' Initiative | website=Bits Blog | publisher=The New York Times | date=June 26, 2012 | url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/tech-companies-announce-girls-who-code-initiative/ | access-date=February 16, 2015 | archive-date=October 25, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025125731/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/tech-companies-announce-girls-who-code-initiative/ | url-status=live }} and in August 2014 received a $1 million contribution from AT&T.{{cite web |url= http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2014/08/27/at-t-gives-1-million-to-girls-who-code.html |title= AT&T Gives $1 Million to Girls Who Code |date= August 27, 2014 |access-date= February 15, 2015 |first= Ca-Ching |last= Tone |work= The Daily Beast |archive-date= August 29, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140829192233/https://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2014/08/27/at-t-gives-1-million-to-girls-who-code.html |url-status= live }}

Expansion in USA

Girls Who Code announced that in 2016 the nonprofit organization would be expanding to all 50 states. In August 2017, they launched a successful series of 13 books, including a nonfiction book, Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World, and several fiction books.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/books/coding-children.html|title=Teaching Kids Coding, by the Book|last=Alter|first=Alexandra|date=2017-08-21|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-12-01|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090320/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/books/coding-children.html|url-status=live}} By the spring of 2018, Girls Who Code reached more than 50,000 girls with their computer science education programs.{{Cite news|url=https://girlswhocode.com/clubs-launch-2017/|title=Girls Who Code free after school Clubs launch for 2017-2018|date=2017-10-04|work=girlswhocode|access-date=2017-12-01|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202052859/https://girlswhocode.com/clubs-launch-2017/|url-status=live}}

As of February 2021, Girls Who Code had more than 80,000 college-aged alums who are entering the workforce.{{cite web |last1=McGrath |first1=Maggie |title=Exclusive: Dr. Tarika Barrett To Succeed Reshma Saujani As Girls Who Code CEO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2021/02/10/exclusive-dr-tarika-barrett-to-succeed-reshma-saujani-as-girls-who-code-ceo/?sh=cc7cc5b4825d |website=Forbes |language=en}} As of March 2021, Girls Who Code clubs and programs had reached more than 300,000 girls globally.{{cite web |title=Girls Who Code's Dr. Tarika Barrett: 'Be brave and keep going' |url=https://thegrio.com/2021/03/26/black-women-amplified-dr-tarika-barrett/ |website=TheGrio |date=26 March 2021}}

The organization's efforts to close the achievement gender gap have resulted in several honors. Saujani was recognized for her vision and efforts to close the gender gap in technology.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202771539858/Law-Firm-Awards-Girls-Who-Code-Founder-?slreturn=20161019022429|title=Law Firm Awards 'Girls Who Code' Founder|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013850/http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202771539858/Law-Firm-Awards-Girls-Who-Code-Founder-?slreturn=20161019022429|url-status=dead}} Girls Who Code alumni include Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser, the creators of the video game Tampon Run.{{cite web |last1=Tiku |first1=Nitasha |title=Teenage coders behind Tampon Run take their feminist game to the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/3/7964667/tampon-run-feminist-game-girls-who-code |website=The Verge |language=en |date=3 February 2015 |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505141046/https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/3/7964667/tampon-run-feminist-game-girls-who-code |url-status=live }}

In 2020, Girls Who Code updated its brand design in order to connect better with Generation Z. The new design is called "making waves" because it is based on the shape of formatted code. The indentations used for formatting code create a wave shape. This new brand update involved many different types of waves, a new color palette, a font change, and a single-color logo.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-15 |title=An updated visual identity for Girls Who Code targets Generation Z |url=https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/11-17-may-2020/girls-who-code-brand-update/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Design Week |language=en-UK |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004031930/https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/11-17-may-2020/girls-who-code-brand-update/ |url-status=live }}

Programs

= Clubs =

The Girls Who Code after-school club program is open to middle and high school girls between 13-18. These clubs are run by college students, teachers, librarians, or professionals in the technology industry. Club meeting times vary among clubs, but are approximately 20 weeks with 2 hour meetings per week. The club curriculum is built on four foundational computer science concepts: loops, conditionals, variables, and functions. The organization calls these the "core-four." Club activities consist of coding tutorials, pre-professional workshops, and community building events.

= Summer Immersion Program =

The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) was a seven-week in-person summer camp program offered for girls in tenth and eleventh grade to introduce them to the world of coding. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program developed into a two-week virtual program.{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Bridget |title=COVID-19 creates new barriers to getting girls into tech |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-covid-era-brings-new-setbacks-to-getting-girls-into-tech-girls-who-code-ceo/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=CNET |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004031929/https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-covid-era-brings-new-setbacks-to-getting-girls-into-tech-girls-who-code-ceo/ |url-status=live }} These summer camps are based at more than 80 technology companies across the United States, including Facebook, Twitter, Adobe, Prudential, Microsoft, and Sephora.{{Cite news |last=Barry |first=Erin |date=September 29, 2018 |title=A nonprofit is trying to close the gender gap in tech by teaching girls to code 'as young as we possibly can' |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/29/girls-who-code-aims-to-close-gender-gap-in-tech.html |access-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002184830/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/29/girls-who-code-aims-to-close-gender-gap-in-tech.html |url-status=live }} The company at which the SIP is based also offers a mentorship program that matches girls in the camp with women in the company. The core curriculum for the program includes lessons on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript programming languages with extra material varying between program sites. The program ends with a final group project, project showcase, and graduation ceremony.{{Cite web |title=Girls Who Code Goes Virtual with Blizzard |url=https://www.activisionblizzard.com/newsroom/2020/07/girls-who-code-goes-virtual-with-blizzard |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=www.activisionblizzard.com |language=en}}

Partnerships

In 2016, Girls Who Code partnered with Accenture{{Cite web|url=https://www.accenture.com/us-en/cracking-the-gender-code|title=Cracking the Gender Code in Computing - Accenture and Girls Who Code|website=www.accenture.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-25|archive-date=2021-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318011628/https://www.accenture.com/us-en/cracking-the-gender-code|url-status=live}} and subsequently, released a report on recommendations to decrease the gender gap in computing.{{Cite news|url=https://girlswhocode.com/crack-the-code/|title=Cracking the Gender Code - Research from Girls Who Code & Accenture|work=girlswhocode|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210140749/https://girlswhocode.com/crack-the-code/|url-status=live}}

Dell Technologies{{cite news |date=October 11, 2016 |title=Dell Expands Investment in Girls Computer Science Education in Underserved Communities |access-date=February 21, 2024 |via=Business Wire |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161011006097/en/Dell-Expands-Investment-in-Girls-Computer-Science-Education-in-Underserved-Communities }} has partnered with the organization to support after school programs for young girls.{{Cite news |date=October 18, 2016 |title=Girls Who Code: A New Club at the Bedford Free Public Library |work=The Bedford Citizen|url=https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2016/10/girls-who-code-a-new-club-at-the-bedford-free-public-library/ |quote=the largest computer science program for girls in the U.S. }}

On October 11, 2018, Girls Who Code partnered with TikTok starting the hashtag #raiseyourhand.{{cite web|url=https://girlswhocode.com/2018/10/08/girls-code-releases-digital-visual-album-celebrating-sisterhood-empowering-girls/|title=Girls Who Code Releases Digital Visual Album Celebrating Sisterhood, Empowering Girls|website=Girls Who Code|access-date=2019-06-15|date=2018-10-08|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090324/https://girlswhocode.com/2018/10/08/girls-code-releases-digital-visual-album-celebrating-sisterhood-empowering-girls/|url-status=live}} The app announced plans with a maximum of $10,000 to give US$1 for every video posted using the hashtag.{{cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/raiseyourhand|title=TikTok announces support for Girls Who Code|website=TikTok|access-date=2019-06-15|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416090320/https://www.tiktok.com/tag/raiseyourhand|url-status=live}}

As of 2020, Girls Who Code has partnered with American Girl to create a doll representing "Courtney Moore", an avid gamer who codes her own video game. From September 2020 to December 2020, American Girl matched customer donations up to $50,000 to Girls Who Code. The organization also created four scholarships, each $5,000, for Girls Who Code members for furthering their computer science education.{{Cite web |last=Fiesler |first=Casey |date=2020-09-17 |title=American Girl's New Doll "Courtney" Is the Game Developer the '80s Needed |url=https://slate.com/technology/2020/09/american-girl-80s-doll-courtney-coding-toys.html |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004031929/https://slate.com/technology/2020/09/american-girl-80s-doll-courtney-coding-toys.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-09-15 |title=American Girl Declares the '80s Are, Like, Totally Back! |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200915005277/en/American-Girl-Declares-the-%E2%80%9880s-Are-Like-Totally-Back%21 |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}

In December 2021, Girls Who Code partnered with Doja Cat and Active Theory to create DojaCode, an interactive music video to the star's single 'Woman'.{{Cite web|title=Doja Cat and Girls Who Code Create 'DojaCode' Interactive Music Video…|url=https://girlswhocode.com/news/doja-cat-and-girls-who-code-create-dojacode-interactive-music-video-experience-for-woman|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Girls Who Code|language=en|archive-date=2022-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127232730/https://girlswhocode.com/news/doja-cat-and-girls-who-code-create-dojacode-interactive-music-video-experience-for-woman|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Century|first=Sara|date=December 7, 2021|title=Here's How—and Why—Doja Cat Collaborated With Girls Who Code|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/doja-cats-new-collaborator-girls-who-code/|access-date=2022-01-15|language=en-US}} The interactive video introduced participants to three coding languages with which they could modify the appearance of the music video visuals.

Girls Who Code has had a partnership with weapons manufacturer Raytheon since 2018. Raytheon donated $1 million to the organization in 2021.{{Cite web |title='Girls Who Code' Team Up With Tomahawk Missile Maker Raytheon |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/girls-who-code-team-up-with-tomahawk-missile-maker-raytheon/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Vice.com |date=29 August 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829161506/https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5v53w/girls-who-code-team-up-with-tomahawk-missile-maker-raytheon |url-status=live }} In August 2022, they collaborated to launch Girls Who Code's Leadership Academy for college age girls.{{Cite journal |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Girls Who Code and Raytheon Technologies Launch Pilot Leadership Academy for STEM College Students |journal=Journal of Engineering}}

Campaigns

Girls Who Code started a digital march called the #MarchforSisterhood. This campaign called for women and allies to post themselves marching for a cause they care about. Posts involve a video or picture of participants either holding a sign that says "I march for..." with the latter half of the sentence filled in or stating who/what they march for.{{Cite web |last=Neela-Stock |first=Siobhan |date=2019-10-11 |title=#MarchforSisterhood unites women and girls on International Day of the Girl |url=https://mashable.com/article/march-for-sisterhood-girls-who-code |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Mashable |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004035628/https://mashable.com/article/march-for-sisterhood-girls-who-code |url-status=live }}

For Super Bowl 2020, Girls Who Code partnered with Olay to make a Super Bowl commercial. The commercial featured Lilly Singh, Busy Philipps, Taraji P. Henson, Katie Couric, and retired astronaut Nicole Stott. The commercial was inspired by the first all-female spacewalk from October 2019. Olay donated $1 to Girls Who Code for each time #MakeSpaceForWomen was used on Twitter.{{Cite web |title=Olay's Super Bowl Commercial With Busy Philipps Was Inspired By The First All-Female Spacewalk |url=https://www.romper.com/p/olays-super-bowl-commercial-is-raising-money-for-girls-who-code-21768339 |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Romper |date=2 February 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=This all-women's Super Bowl ad is helping close the STEM gender gap |url=https://www.msnbc.com/know-your-value/all-women-s-super-bowl-ad-helping-close-stem-gender-n1124761 |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=MSNBC.com |date=29 January 2020 |language=en}}

In 2020, Girls Who Code released the "Missing Code" campaign. The campaign involved a series of videos that depict applications such as Instagram and Netflix glitching out. These glitches were caused when the code written by women was removed. The purpose of the campaign was to depict what the internet would look like if all the code written by women vanished and if women were not part of the technology industry.{{Cite web |last=Carson |first=Erin |title=Here's what the internet would like if every line of code by women suddenly vanished |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/internet/heres-what-the-internet-would-like-if-all-code-by-women-vanished/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=CNET |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004035629/https://www.cnet.com/culture/internet/heres-what-the-internet-would-like-if-all-code-by-women-vanished/ |url-status=live }}

International expansion

In November 2018, Girls Who Code expanded to Canada. This was the organization's first international expansion. With the help of Morgan Stanley and the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries, Girls Who Code has launched at least ten after-school clubs across Ontario. The expansion was announced at the Move the Dial Summit.{{Cite news |last=Genota |first=Lauraine |date=November 15, 2018 |title=K-12 Dealmaking: Girls Who Code Expands to Canada; Catapult Learning Makes Acquisition |work=EdWeek Market Brieft }}

As of August 2022, Girls Who Code also has expanded to India in order to increase the number of women engineers in India from 26%. The organization partnered with United Technologies to offer a virtual two-week Summer Immersion Program, virtual six-week self-paced program and after school clubs.{{Cite web |last=Philipp |first=Jennifer |date=2022-08-18 |title=Girls Who Code is Closing the Gender Gap in India |url=https://www.borgenmagazine.com/girls-who-code/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=BORGEN |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004024103/https://www.borgenmagazine.com/girls-who-code/ |url-status=live }}

Books banned

In 2020-2021, four titles from the Girls Who Code book series, The Friendship Code, Team BFF: Race to the Finish!, Lights, Music, Code!, and Spotlight on Coding Club!, were banned from the Central York school district in Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-26 |title=Pennsylvania school district accused of banning Girls Who Code book series |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/26/pennsylvania-book-ban-girls-who-code |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} The books were listed on the PEN America's Index of School Book Bans for a ten-month period from November 2020 to September 2021.{{Cite web |last=Biron |first=Bethany |title=Girls Who Code founder speaks out after learning that a Pennsylvania school district had banned her books: 'This is about controlling women and it starts with controlling our girls' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/girls-who-code-founder-speaks-out-banning-books-schools-2022-9 |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} The Girls Who Code books were on a resource list created by the district's diversity committee that contained other banned books, such as The Handmaid's Tale.

Saujani declared that the banning of the Girls Who Code books was linked to the Moms for Liberty group. The group has not confirmed this and the Moms for Liberty co-founder, Tina Descovich, said that the group is only concerned with banning material that would give their children easy access to sexually explicit content and pornography.{{Cite web |last=Dobberstein |first=Laura |title=Girls Who Code books 'banned' in some US classrooms |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/26/girls_who_code_books_fight/ |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008012939/https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/26/girls_who_code_books_fight/ |url-status=live }}

See also

References

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