In celebration of National STEM/STEAM Day on November 8, which aims to inspire and educate youth about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, we want to highlight a few remarkable Asian American women making significant strides in the tech industry. Often, the image of app developers conjures visions of white or Asian men, which underscores the urgent need for greater representation. It’s crucial for children, regardless of gender, to see diverse figures in STEAM fields—helping them envision a future where they too can thrive.
Here are three inspiring Asian American women—one dynamic mom and two innovative sisters—who are paving the way for future generations in technology.
Meet Maya Chen
Maya Chen, a daughter of Chinese immigrants, is the mastermind behind LinguaPhrases, an app designed to teach users basic Chinese phrases, and RecipeBox, a digital cookbook featuring traditional Chinese recipes showcased on her YouTube channel. Maya recalls a moment in her childhood when a female teacher discouraged her aspiration to create software, saying, “You’re not a boy, so it’s unlikely you’ll succeed.” That comment stung.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Maya is now a lead app developer for a tech firm and an independent app creator with a flourishing YouTube presence. “I’ve had to fight hard for my place in this industry,” she reflects. “Every time my company needed an app, I would confidently state, ‘I can build it. Just give me two weeks.’ And I did.” Maya built her firm’s first enterprise application in just two and a half weeks, proving her capabilities.
Her journey began with the creation of LinguaPhrases, sparked by her desire to preserve the Chinese language. “I thought my audience was small at first,” she shared, “but hearing from other women developers made me realize my app truly matters.”
Introducing Priya Kapoor
Priya Kapoor, a 21-year-old Indian American, founded ConnectU, an online platform she developed during the pandemic to foster community support among college students and alumni. She aimed to create a space where students could connect with mentors in their desired fields.
Initially, Priya found coding challenging and often questioned its relevance. Her perspective shifted during a hackathon in 9th grade, where she collaborated with an all-girls team to build a website in just 24 hours. This experience ignited her passion for tech, leading her to participate in over 45 hackathons and learn how to create various digital products.
After attending Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2018, Priya was inspired to launch her own app. She recognized that many of her peers faced career setbacks due to the pandemic, prompting her to create ConnectU. “What started as a simple mentorship matching service evolved into a larger platform aimed at empowering the next generation,” Priya explained.
Meet Anika Kapoor
Anika Kapoor, Priya’s 16-year-old sister, is also an aspiring app developer. A recipient of the Swift Student Challenge scholarship, she attended the 2021 WWDC with her app, HealthConnect, set to launch soon. Inspired by her sister, Anika learned that coding could address real-world issues. After experiencing challenges related to her health during the pandemic, she decided to create an app to help others facing similar struggles.
“I found that many people lack access to essential medical resources,” Anika noted. “I wanted to create an easily accessible platform for anyone dealing with gastroenterological diseases, offering steps they can take from home.” Her goal is to empower individuals to take charge of their health through technology.
Despite the pandemic highlighting disparities in access to resources, Anika feels hopeful thanks to initiatives like WWDC and various programs supporting women in STEM. She believes that girls like her have the potential to bridge these gaps.
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Summary
These innovative Asian American women are not just app developers; they are trailblazers in STEM, showcasing the importance of diversity in technology. Through their unique experiences and challenges, they inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEAM fields. Their stories highlight the vital role representation plays in encouraging young minds to envision themselves in these roles.
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