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Besides that, I never give instructions. I’m only there for support. The girls just need the space to bring their own ideas to life. I don’t tell them that they can program an app. They find out themselves, after they’ve just done it. When they’ve succeeded, they’re given the courage to follow their passion. It’s just as important to have good role models – women who have successful careers in technology. We bring them together.
A true role model
A prodigy in the fields of maths, computer science and languages, Anne-Marie Imafidon was born in England in 1990 to Nigerian parents as the first of five kids. She speaks five languages fluently and is one of Oxford University’s youngest graduates, where she received her master’s degree at age 20. Having successfully completed her studies, Anne-Marie then worked for companies such as Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers before dedicating herself full-time to her company, ‘STEMettes’. Here, she organises workshops for young girls between the ages of five and 22, encouraging them to pursue technical careers. A few months ago, her work for 'STEMettes' earned her an induction into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. She is the youngest inductee from the field of natural sciences since 1980.
''For me, it’s about showing young girls how to approach scientific challenges with confidence.''
Anne-Marie Imafidon