When I was a teenager,
I fell deeply in love
with computer programming.
I had access to
a commodore 64
and every spare moment
I had,
I would spend teaching myself
how to program it.
I developed a huge database,
complete with graphics
and links,
of horse information
(another passion of mine).
When I had to decide
what to study
after high school,
my first choice
was computer programming.
But when I told adults this,
they scoffed and said
“Women didn’t program
computers.”
I didn’t know of any
female computer programmers
(this was well before
the brilliant Hidden Figures
female programmers
received their due).
I believed I was paying
my way
through school
(I ended up getting
a full scholarship).
I couldn’t spend
all of that hard earned
and borrowed money
on a useless degree.
So I discarded my dreams
of being a computer programmer
and became an accountant instead.
Laurie Cantillo,
creator of NASA’s First Podcast,
shares
“When I was growing up,
it never occurred to me
to be a scientist or engineer,
since there were so few
female role models.
Had I been in school today,
I might have chosen
a different path.”
Yes, Laurie Cantillo and I both
became successful
but imagine what we could have done
if we had role models
in the careers
we were most passionate about.
THIS is why role models
are important.
If you’re battling to be
the first,
THIS is why your battle
is important.
Role models change the world.