I first came into contact with programming in an extracurricular class I took in second grade. I was 8 years old and I didn't know what I was doing, but solving problems came naturally to me. Understanding of what I did would only come 1-2 years later, when I was already building web pages. I was also passionate about electronics and radio communications, and got my ham radio transmitter license at 14 years old. During high school I took a break from all my science hobbies, mostly because of peer pressure. These things were un-lady like, and I saw myself as someone who could be a lady. Back then, having hard skills and being feminine were advertised as mutually exclusive. And while I know this to be false, there are many people of all age groups still perpetuating these harmful stereotypes. In 12th grade, when I had to choose a career, I chose programming. It was a challenge and I wanted to prove myself. Lucky for me I was stubborn, because it was a battle: I had grown, but the stereotypes surrounding women in tech were stronger, especially in the decisive moments of my life. After a B.Sc., a M.Sc and a PhD in Computer Science, I know better than to let someone not from the tech bubble tell me what I can and cannot do with my skills. But the stereotype is still there, which is my motivation behind Codette. We represent all people, of all age groups, all levels of experience and all tech branches. Having such a visible community of women and men who believe in a shared vision of equality sends a strong message.