In 2019, Wired reported that only 17% of coders were women. In the UK, women make up only 15% of coders. It’s time to closer the gender gap in coding and celebrate what women are capable of. Without women, we wouldn’t have made so much progress within the field of technology. In this article, I’ll be covering some examples of inspirational role models for younger girls to look up to.

1. Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace is regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers. She worked closely with Charles Babbage, a Mathematics professor at the University of Cambridge. Babbage invented the Analytical Engine while Lovelace published the first computer algorithm. She is thought of as one of the first people to realise the potential of computers.

2. Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper was an an American mathematician, rear admiral in the U.S. navy - and also a Computer Scientist after working on the Harvard Mark I. This was an early protocomputer built during the second world war. In computing, the term “bug” is relatively common. Grace Hopper actually coined this term after a moth got into the circuits of the Harvard Mark I referring to computer failures. In additon to this, Grace along with her team also developed the first compiler - something which converts our language into machine code. She often said that she wanted to the 1st January, 2000, to see how far computers could come.

3. Margaret Hamilton

Margaret Hamilton was the director of software engineering at NASA which landed astronauts on the moon. She was responsible for creating code which would be added to the Apollo’s computer. Not to mention that Margaret was also a full-time mother to a daughter called Lauren. She later went on to find two companies and receive a Presidental Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

Really, this only scrapes the surface of what girls are capable of programming within technology. Why not get your daughter into coding? There are so many reasons to:

• Higher than average salary. Research suggests that women in technology can earn up to 35% more than average for girls.

• Increased ability to problem solve analytically and creatively. Coding in general can not only help to improve mathematical skills but also to develop their own problem solving abilities.

• Becoming a role model for others. Like Grace Hopper, Margaret Hamilton and Ada Lovelace, why doesn’t your daughter become an inspirational role-model for other girls? There are so many opportunities to make a difference nowadays whether that be girls making their own business, developing applications in healthcare or working at big companies like Google or Apple.

Educademy offers a variety of courses, not just for girls, but for every child alike. We ensure that no child gets left behind. If you’d like your daughter to get into coding and make a difference in the world but don’t know where to start - check out our courses! We also offer free trials if you aren’t sure.

Author: Sophie Dillon