A Young Woman’s Fight for Educational Equality - Andreea's Story

In this edition of the Bluestockings Interview Series, we sit down with Andreea, a young innovator using technology to bridge educational gaps. Through her team’s mobile app, she’s empowering others while rewriting what it means to be a girl in tech. This is a conversation about education, representation, and feminist leadership in action.

At just 17, Andreea is already making waves as a Global Semifinalist at Technovation Girls, where she co-developed an app aimed at ending functional illiteracy, which is a hidden barrier that keeps millions, especially women and girls, from accessing opportunity. Her innovation uses gamified, bite-sized lessons to make learning engaging and accessible, particularly for underserved communities.

But Andreea’s mission goes deeper than tech. Through every line of code and every challenge she overcomes, she sends a message: feminism and technology can, and must, coexist.

What Drives Her

Bluestockings Society: Before we dive into your incredible work, can you tell us a bit about what drives you as a young woman—what motivates you to create, to lead, and to challenge the status quo?

Andreea: What drives me is a deep sense of frustration at how many girls and women are underestimated or excluded from spaces like tech, where we have every right to belong. I’m also driven by hope. I truly believe that we can build a more inclusive, equal world, and I want to be part of that. Creating something like our app gave me a way to make change tangible, to build a tool that could actually help people learn. As a girl in STEM, I’m constantly aware that I’m breaking expectations, and that keeps me going. I want younger girls to see me and think, “If she can, I can too.”

Andreea (left) with her team pitching their app concept

Myths, Bias, and What Girls Actually Bring to STEM

Bluestockings Society: What do you think society often misunderstands about girls and their role in STEM innovation?

Andreea: One of the biggest misconceptions is that girls aren’t naturally “technical” or “logical” thinkers. That bias is so deep, we often internalize it ourselves. But I’ve seen firsthand that girls bring not just technical skill, but empathy, creativity, and a deep awareness of social issues to their innovations. Our ideas are often rooted in real experiences and injustices, so we don’t just build things that work; we build things that matter. Society still sees STEM as neutral or male-dominated, but when girls step in, we prove that tech can, and should, be human-centered and justice-driven.

Literacy is Liberation

Bluestockings Society: How do you see the link between education access and gender equality?

Andreea: They’re completely intertwined. Without access to quality education, girls are denied the tools they need to break cycles of poverty, challenge oppression, and claim leadership. Literacy isn’t just about reading, but about agency. If you can’t read instructions, you can’t understand your rights. If you can’t access education, you can’t take part in shaping your future. That’s why I’m so passionate about our app. By fighting functional illiteracy, we’re giving people, especially girls, the first stepping stone toward independence and empowerment.

Different screens from Andreea's app (Cookie)

To Every Girl Who Feels Intimidated

Bluestockings Society: What message would you send to other girls who feel intimidated by the tech world but want to make a difference?

Andreea: You don’t have to know everything to begin. You just have to start. The tech world may seem intimidating, but remember: it was never built for us, so we’re here to rebuild it. Your perspective, your story, your voice—they’re your superpowers. Don’t wait for permission. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, ask questions without fear, and never apologize for being ambitious. The world needs your ideas. And more than that, the world needs you exactly as you are.