“This is a terrific story, and proof that young girls are an untapped resource of innovation,” said Change The Ratio co-founder Rachel Sklar, when we told her the news. It seemed this young woman acted identically to any young individual interested in tech. Learned about tech. Lived tech. Talked tech. Practiced, practiced, practiced. Didn't need any self-victimizing pink ghetto look at me give me an advantage because…
There's always those that can succeed despite the odds against them. Let's not hold up these people as evidence that outreach isn't necessary. For every male kid who programmed his comodo TX-whosits before he could walk, there are a hundred kids who get in it through high school, or take it up in college, etc. Similarly, for every girl who isn't turned off by the male-dominated culture or anti-social stereotypes, there are a hundred girls who could have made it in tech if it weren't for these repulsive influences. Outliers have no bearing on what is appropriate for the general case.