Lucia – From Rhythm to Code: Bridging Generations Through Tech
Lucia, TechGirls 2024, USA
Three months into 10th grade, I started thinking about how I wanted to spend my summer. While I appreciated the value of academic research, I was looking for something more hands-on and dynamic—an experience that would allow me to explore STEM in a creative way. That’s when I discovered TechGirls. We were a diverse group, brought together from all over the world, but the challenges we faced as girls in tech connected us in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The walls that some of my peers were up against in their own homes, whether it was a lack of resources, cultural expectations, or gender-based discouragement, were heartbreaking to hear, but they also fueled something inside me. Listening to these girls talk about the barriers they had to break just to access technology, let alone pursue careers in it, made me realize just how much this journey meant to us all.
What stuck with me most, though, was how these inspiring women were already making their mark, despite the obstacles. They were coding, creating, leading, and fighting to carve out space for themselves. It reminded me that barriers are often only as strong as we allow them to be, and every step we take to push through them makes the path easier for the next generation. The emotional resonance of these experiences still fuels me today, driving my own work in technology and the efforts I’ve made to give other young girls a platform to explore their potential without fear or limitation.
I’ll never forget my one-on-one conversation with my professor at Virginia Tech. Nervously, I confessed that I’d never quite fit the “STEM-only” mold; unlike my peers who had proudly called themselves “math kids” and spent their time preparing for math olympiads, I had always struggled to merge my love for the arts with my growing interest in technology. However, by the end of my Rhythm course, I understood the true meaning of “there are no limits to what we can create when we blend different fields.” Blending the language of code with musical creativity opened my eyes to boundless possibilities that arise within the vast field of technology.
Returning home, I was determined to apply what I’d learned to make a tangible difference. Inspired by the challenges my peers faced and the leadership skills I developed, I co-founded opens in a new windowBridGEN, a youth-led initiative focused on bridging the generational divide by teaching seniors essential tech skills. My grandmother’s struggles with technology had opened my eyes to how disconnected many older adults are from the digital world, and I wanted to change that. Through BridGEN, teens teach seniors how to use smartphones, navigate social media, and stay connected with their families online. Witnessing a senior sending their first text or making a video call is a reminder of why this work matters—it’s not just about teaching technology, it’s about fostering human connection and empowerment.
TechGirls continues to shape my journey in ways I never imagined. The network of women I’ve connected with through workshops and collaborations has become an ongoing source of inspiration. Together, we’re tackling global challenges using STEM in meaningful ways. Most recently, I had the honor of representing BridGEN at the United Nations Summit of the Future, where I spoke about the digital divide and the role of youth-led initiatives in addressing global issues. The response from UN leaders was overwhelmingly positive, and some even expressed interest in partnering with us. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of youth-led change and the importance of collaboration in creating lasting solutions. As I continue working alongside fellow TechGirls and women in STEM, I’m reminded of our collective power to create real, lasting change, whether it’s bridging generational divides, addressing global challenges, or inspiring the next generation of girls to believe in their limitless potential.
