Mayor Walsh Presents 'Girls Make the City'

On Sunday, September 7th, Mayor Walsh, the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement, and the MIT Media Lab hosted Girls Make the City, an annual event that introduces 11 - 17 year old girls to science and technology. This year, 25 girls from local programs such as the Mayor’s Youth Council, Zumix, and Boys & Girls Club came together at District Hall in Boston’s Innovation District to learn Scratch, an introductory programming language, from experts at the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten group.

“My administration has a particular interest in proactively engaging and mentoring youth,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Today, we introduced 25 young women to role models in computer science, and we hope this sparks a lifelong interest.”
 
Girls Make the City provided a unique opportunity for students to connect with mentors in science and technology. The event included a surprise visit from acclaimed lyrical artist Nas, who has supported programs that address the gender gap in the technology industry.  
 
The event focused on an "I Can Be" project theme, which built upon Nas’ song "I Can.”
Before programming their “I Can” projects on Scratch, the girls shared their ambitions on District Hall’s Ideapaint walls.  Mayor Walsh and Nas shared stories and listened as the girls shared their dreams for their lives, answered questions, and presented their projects.

About the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
 
The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics in Boston serves as the City's innovation incubator, building partnerships between internal agencies and outside entrepreneurs to pilot projects that address resident needs.
 
About the Office of Women’s Advancement
 
The Office of Women’s Advancement is an embodiment of Mayor Walsh’s commitment to promoting women in Boston. The Office provides a permanent, effective voice for all female residents of Boston by working inclusively with public, private, and non-profit partners on key issues that significantly affect women and girls.
 
About Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab
 
MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten develops new technologies that engage children and teens in creative learning experiences. They are well known for creating Scratch, a highly visual programming language that introduces computer science to millions of people around the world.