The program had reached more than 90,000 girls across the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom at the end of 2018.
Saujani, former deputy public advocate for New York City, in 2010 became the first Indian American woman to seek a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her campaign, Saujani visited local schools and “observed firsthand the gender gap in computing classes,” which provided the inspiration for pursuing Girls Who Code.
“I am looking forward to visiting Syracuse in May and sharing with the Class of 2019 my thoughts on the intersections of law, service, education and leadership,” Saujani said in the Syracuse news release. “My background in the law has served me at every turn of my professional life, and I believe it’s hugely important to counsel young lawyers at the launch of their careers, especially when there is so much at stake in our nation and our democracy.”
Saujani is also the author of three books, including Brave, Not Perfect; Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World; and Women Who Don’t Wait in Line.
“Reshma Saujani’s path from law graduate to public servant to education innovator is an inspiration for our graduates and students, for it shows what can be achieved when imagination, drive and a passion for giving back are combined with a rigorous legal education,” Craig Boise, dean of the Syracuse University College of Law, said in the news release. “Through Girls Who Code, Reshma is transforming tens of thousands of lives a year. She is changing how technology is taught in our schools, helping to ensure broad, inclusive and equitable access to education and opportunity. I look forward to hearing Reshma’s unique perspective on the law, public service and education and her words of encouragement to our graduates as they begin their own careers.”
Saujani is a graduate of the University of Illinois; Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; and Yale Law School, per the Syracuse news release.