Publications
Publications
- July 2020
- HBS Case Collection
Girls Who Code
By: Brian Trelstad and Amy Klopfenstein
Abstract
This teaching plan serves as a supplement to HBS Case No. 320-055, “Girls Who Code.” Founded 2012 by former lawyer Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code (GWC) offered coding education programs to middle- and high school-aged girls. The organization also sought to alter cultural stereotypes surrounding women in tech through books, advertisements, and social media campaigns. Saujani remained active in promoting her organization’s message through a TED Talk, a best-selling book, and frequent media appearances and interviews. By 2019, GWC had served approximately 185,000 girls, expanded its programs to all 50 U.S. states, and reached hundreds of millions of individuals through its advertising and media campaigns. However, the tech gender gap was still significant. Saujani claimed that the organization was on track to close the gender gap among entry level tech roles by 2027. The conclusion of the case asks students to consider whether GWC is likely to meet this goal, and whether the organization should consider new initiatives to increase its impact.
Keywords
Communication; Communication Strategy; Spoken Communication; Interpersonal Communication; Demographics; Age; Gender; Education; Curriculum and Courses; Learning; Middle School Education; Secondary Education; Leadership Style; Leadership; Social Enterprise; Nonprofit Organizations; Social Psychology; Attitudes; Behavior; Cognition and Thinking; Prejudice and Bias; Power and Influence; Identity; Social and Collaborative Networks; Motivation and Incentives; Society; Civil Society or Community; Culture; Public Opinion; Social Issues; Technology; Software; Education Industry; Technology Industry; North and Central America; United States
Citation
Trelstad, Brian, and Amy Klopfenstein. "Girls Who Code." Harvard Business School Teaching Plan 321-010, July 2020.
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