TED演讲训练稿件 Teach girls bravery, not perfection.docxVIP

PAGE 231 Lesson22 Girls Who Code创始人：做勇敢的女孩儿 Teach girls bravery, not perfection Speaker: Reshma Saujani 英文版 So a few years ago,I did something really brave,or some would say really stupid.I ran for Congress. For years, I had existed safely behind the scenes in politicsas a fundraiser, as an organizer,but in my heart, I always wanted to run.The sitting congresswoman had been in my district since 1992.She had never lost a race,and no one had really even run against her in a Democratic primary.But in my mind, this was my wayto make a difference,to disrupt the status quo.The polls, however, told a very different story.My pollsters told me that I was crazy to run,that there was no way that I could win. But I ran anyway,and in 2012, I became an upstart in a New York City congressional race.I swore I was going to win.I had the endorsement from the New York Daily News,the Wall Street Journal snapped pictures of me on election day,and CNBC called it one of the hottest races in the country.I raised money from everyone I knew,including Indian auntiesthat were just so happy an Indian girl was running.But on election day, the polls were right,and I only got 19 percent of the vote,and the same papers that said I was a rising political starnow said I wasted 1.3 million dollarson 6,321 votes.Dont do the math.It was humiliating. Now, before you get the wrong idea,this is not a talk about the importance of failure.Nor is it about leaning in.I tell you the story of how I ran for Congressbecause I was 33 years oldand it was the first time in my entire lifethat I had done something that was truly brave,where I didnt worry about being perfect. And Im not alone:so many women I talk to tell methat they gravitate towards careers and professionsthat they know theyre going to be great in,that they know theyre going to be perfect in,and its no wonder why.Most girls are taught to avoid risk and failure.Were taught to smile pretty,play it safe, get all As.Boys, on the other hand,are taught to