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'CoderGirl' aims to break up the tech boys' club with first graduating class

More than 100 women are entering the tech world thanks to a uniquely St. Louis program.

ST. LOUIS - The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show kicked off this week surrounded in controversy: the biggest yearly platform for new tech will not have any women taking the stage as keynote speakers.

Responding to the criticism, organizers have claimed it is because there simply aren't enough qualified women to present at the event. The National Center for Women & Information Technology estimates less than 25 percent of tech jobs are held by women.

But Tuesday night, more than 100 women will take another stage here in St. Louis. They will be the first official class to graduate as "CoderGirls."

"It's been something that I wish that I had when I was going through school and I'm just excited that it's something here in St. Louis," said Eshae Hawash, who works as an instructor/mentor with CoderGirl.

The program started as a casual meetup through LaunchCode, a non-profit that helps people learn computer science skills and even score jobs. It's catered specifically to women, especially those who work full-time or have children, andwill now be replicated across the country.

"I feel empowered to make other women feel more confident entering the tech industry," said Lin Wang, who works at LaunchCode.

Instructors and students say the community it's created is almost as important as the coding skills themselves.

"It's just created an opportunity that wouldn't have been sought after had this specific CoderGirl program not existed," said Kristin Slechtick, who will graduate Tuesday night from the program.

The next class is already full, but to find out more about the next CoderGirl cohort or other LaunchCode programs, visit their website.

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