Women Who Reign: Patricia Ornelas

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
~~~~

Tell us about yourself along with a fun fact!
I am a first-year student majoring in Computer Science at Tufts University in Medford, MA. I am a Mexican immigrant who came to the California with my family to pursue the “American Dream.” Because of all of my family’s sacrifices to get me here, I have done everything in my power to take advantage of opportunities. After an IT summer program at UC Berkeley, I participated in Girls Who Code. This 7-week summer program sparked my interest in software engineering. I like to make websites, like this one http://patricianoj.github.io/ which I actually started creating at Girls Who Code. I want to continue to pursue a career in technology, while helping more underrepresented minorities do so as well. I am also heavily involved in social justice movements, because I am deeply concerned with current social issues that the world is facing. I hope to use technology to combat some of these social injustices.

What # would define your life journey?
#PrideAndPurpose. My hometown’s motto.

Favorite website / app:
Snapchat, because that’s how I keep in touch with my close friends and family even when I’m 3000 miles away.