Reshma Saujani: Redefining Leadership for Women and Mothers Everywhere
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
In a world where women are constantly told they must choose between ambition and caregiving, Reshma Saujani stands as a bold exception to the rule—and an even bolder challenge to it. As the founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, Saujani has made it her mission to dismantle the systems that force women into impossible choices. Her work is not just about empowerment—it’s about systemic change. Through advocacy, storytelling, and unapologetic leadership, she is reshaping what it means to lead with purpose in a world that too often overlooks the needs of women and mothers.
Saujani first captured national attention with the launch of Girls Who Code, an organization created to close the gender gap in technology and inspire young women to pursue careers in computer science. What started as a grassroots movement quickly exploded into a global initiative, reaching hundreds of thousands of girls and creating a pipeline of female talent into one of the most male-dominated industries. But Reshma’s vision extended far beyond just teaching code—it was about confidence, courage, and cultivating the next generation of changemakers.
Even after the success of Girls Who Code, Reshma didn’t stop. She looked around and realized that the workplace—especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic—was still failing women, especially mothers. Millions of women had left the workforce due to a lack of affordable childcare, flexible work environments, and meaningful support. The crisis was clear, and once again, Saujani stepped forward—not just with criticism, but with solutions.
She launched Moms First, a movement dedicated to transforming workplace policies and cultural expectations around motherhood. By pushing for paid leave, affordable childcare, and economic support for moms, Reshma has shifted the narrative from personal responsibility to collective action. Her message is simple: Motherhood should not be a barrier to leadership. It should be a reason to lead differently—and more effectively.
What sets Reshma apart in this July’s She Wins Magazine theme, “Empowered to Lead, Built to Rise,” is her relentless belief that women deserve more than inspiration—they deserve infrastructure. She isn’t content with encouraging women to break glass ceilings; she’s focused on redesigning the building altogether. Her work embodies a deeper kind of freedom—freedom from unrealistic expectations, broken systems, and outdated policies that no longer serve modern families.
Saujani is also a vocal proponent of shedding perfectionism and embracing bold, brave action. In her bestselling book Brave, Not Perfect, she challenges the cultural conditioning that tells women they must get everything right before taking risks. She encourages women to show up messy, loud, and ready to lead—even when the world tells them they’re not enough. That mindset has become a rallying cry for women who are tired of waiting for permission to be powerful.
Her leadership style is not built on ego, but empathy. She listens—to mothers, to young girls, to policy makers, and to her own inner wisdom—and then acts. Whether she’s testifying before Congress or speaking at global forums, Reshma brings both data and heart to the table. She is not just making space for women—she’s helping us reclaim space that has always been ours.
Reshma Saujani’s work is proof that leadership rooted in purpose can be both fierce and feminine. She shows us that true independence isn’t about doing it all alone, but about building systems where everyone can rise together. In every initiative she leads, Reshma carries the stories of the women she advocates for—and in doing so, she opens doors not just for herself, but for the millions who walk behind her.
Because when one woman leads with purpose, she clears the path for others to rise. And Reshma Saujani isn’t just clearing the path—she’s building the road.
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