Louise Bloji is an incoming First Year student at Lafayette College, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with a minor in Biotechnology. Born and raised in Liberia to unwed, underage parents who were ostracized from their homes, Louise faced immense social and economic challenges growing up. Her family’s struggles meant inadequate shelter and infrequent meals, and societal shame led her parents to forbid her from addressing them as “mom” or “dad.” Despite these hardships, Louise was determined to achieve a better life through education.
Frequently sent home from school due to unpaid tuition, Louise remained focused and resilient, ultimately graduating as the valedictorian and president of her class. In Liberia, where only about 20% of women work in STEM fields due to systemic gender biases, Louise developed a passion for empowering young women to break barriers in STEM.
To address this disparity, Louise founded Give Her STEM, an organization that provides young women with the platform and support to dream big and pursue careers in STEM. The initiative combats societal myths that only boys excel in math and science by sharing inspirational stories of Liberian women overcoming obstacles in STEM fields. Through mentorship and encouragement, Give Her STEM helps young women realize their potential and challenge societal norms.
Louise has also contributed to other organizations with similar missions. After completing an intensive three-month Microsoft Office suite training program, she served as General Secretary for Girls in Tech Liberia, honing her communication and organizational skills. Additionally, she volunteered as the Head of Community for Ambitious Africa Liberia, where she worked on initiatives to uplift youth in her community.
Now at Lafayette College, Louise plans to use her education in Computer Science and Biotechnology to drive innovation and create opportunities for women in STEM. She envisions a future where young women in Liberia and across Africa feel empowered to pursue careers as software engineers, web designers, hackers, and more. With her unwavering commitment to mentoring and advocacy, Louise aspires to be a transformative agent of change, ensuring that women in STEM are recognized, valued, and supported.