--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Representation is so important because…" description: "\"Representation is so important because it's hard for kids to want to be what they can't see. Little girls and boys need to know that it's natural for g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg" --- # Representation is so important because it's hard for kids… ![“Representation is so important because it's hard for kids to want to be what they can't see. Little girls and boys need to know that it's natural for girls to love science and tech.” quote by Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg) > “Representation is so important because it's hard for kids to want to be what they can't see. Little girls and boys need to know that it's natural for girls to love science and tech.” [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing people like oneself in a field makes it easier for children to imagine themselves succeeding there, especially in science and technology. **In simple terms:** Kids need role models to envision themselves in STEM. Key Takeaway Visibility drives aspiration. Themes representation STEM education gender equity role models Mood hopeful motivational Type inspirational advocacy When to use this quote - school science fairs - media casting - mentor programs - career counseling Key Concepts social identity theory self‑efficacy Practical Applications - highlight diverse professionals in curricula - create mentorship pipelines Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions pair representation with structural support? - What impact does early exposure have on long‑term career choices? A Different Perspective Representation alone may not overcome systemic barriers such as funding or bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Representation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representation/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [“Representation is important. Media”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-maggs/representation-is-important-media/) [Sam Maggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-maggs/) > [I think representation is the most important thing in the world. People who are young look up to the things that they see in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbie-ferreira/i-think-representation-is-the-most-important-thing-in-the-world/) [Barbie Ferreira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbie-ferreira/) > [I'm always talking about how representation is such an important thing - it's not just a request, it's a requirement - it needs to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-belair/i-m-always-talking-about-how-representation-is-such-an-important/) [Bianca Belair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-belair/) > [Representation is very important to everyone, but especially to girls like me, and people like me, whether it be because of my body, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabourey-sidibe/representation-is-very-important-to-everyone-but-especially-to-girls/) [Gabourey Sidibe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabourey-sidibe/) > [We always talk about how important representation is. It's so important to see someone that looks like you - whether you're African American, Asian,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-kingston/we-always-talk-about-how-important-representation-is-it-s-so/) [Kofi Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-kingston/) > [There's so much talk of representation in politics and entertainment - it's everywhere - but I didn't realize representation was important until really my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tomi-adeyemi/there-s-so-much-talk-of-representation-in-politics-and-entertainment/) [Tomi Adeyemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tomi-adeyemi/) > [Getting political representation is important, but change comes through using direct action, campaigning, and trade unions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/getting-political-representation-is-important-but-change-comes/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Representation is so important for all of us, especially millennials and the next generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-bidot/representation-is-so-important-for-all-of-us-especially-millennials/) [Denise Bidot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-bidot/) > [“Boys often need us to give them more time than girls need, and they often need us to connect their feelings to objects in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gurian/boys-often-need-us-to-give-them-more-time-than-girls-need-and-they/) [Michael Gurian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gurian/) > [Some Boys need to learn that theyre better off telling the truth right away, because girls will always find out eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/some-boys-need-to-learn-that-theyre-better-off-telling-the-truth/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Boys need girls that understand him well that they can back off when boys need time and space to be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/boys-need-girls-that-understand-him-well-that-they-can-back-off-when/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why Do Boys Need A Friend Who Is A Girl ? BECAUSE: -She Will Never Leave U Alone When U are Sad -She Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron/why-do-boys-need-a-friend-who-is-a-girl-because-she-will-never-leave/) [AaRon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron/) > [I find older men more attractive than boys. I need a man who can teach me a thing or two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-find-older-men-more-attractive-than-boys-i-need-a-man-who-can-teach/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [“More boys need that role model and that choices. As more women lean in to their careers, more men need to lean in to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/more-boys-need-that-role-model-and-that-choices-as-more-women-lean-in/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [ If Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer were alive today, we’d say they had ADD or a conduct disorder. They \[boys\] are who they are,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gurian/if-huck-finn-or-tom-sawyer-were-alive-today-we-d-say-they-had-add-or/) [Michael Gurian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gurian/) ## More by Emily Calandrelli > [Planet Earth is far more resilient than humans and will certainly outlive us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/planet-earth-is-far-more-resilient-than-humans-and-will-certainly/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [When I got to MIT, I discovered a really interesting Master's program called the Science and Technology and Policy Program - it taught people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/when-i-got-to-mit-i-discovered-a-really-interesting-master-s-program/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [I want to make everyone believe that they can understand math and science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/i-want-to-make-everyone-believe-that-they-can-understand-math-and/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [I've always been in love with the stars and view the cosmos as the ultimate adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/i-ve-always-been-in-love-with-the-stars-and-view-the-cosmos-as-the/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [The West Virginia NASA Space Grant took me under their wing and taught me everything about applying for internships, scholarships, and performing research at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/the-west-virginia-nasa-space-grant-took-me-under-their-wing-and/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > ['The Daily Show' took a topic - politics - which many people considered to be boring, confusing, or even annoying to learn about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/the-daily-show-took-a-topic-politics-which-many-people-considered-to/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [Because of technologies from space exploration, we can begin to understand our world's origins, and our lives are improving. These are the reasons why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/because-of-technologies-from-space-exploration-we-can-begin-to/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [Girls need to see somebody that looks like them talking about science and technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/girls-need-to-see-somebody-that-looks-like-them-talking-about-science/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [Because of engineering, I have been able to experience things I never thought I would be able to do as an undergraduate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/because-of-engineering-i-have-been-able-to-experience-things-i-never/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [I am very inspired by the exploration of space via private means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/i-am-very-inspired-by-the-exploration-of-space-via-private-means/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [I tell students that I believe STEM majors have the most exciting opportunities than any other majors in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/i-tell-students-that-i-believe-stem-majors-have-the-most-exciting/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [One big part of Movember is raising awareness for men's health. A lot of people gotten involved found out members of their extended families…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/one-big-part-of-movember-is-raising-awareness-for-men-s-health-a-lot/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [Being interested in science and engineering is not a male quality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/being-interested-in-science-and-engineering-is-not-a-male-quality/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [When I got to college, I discovered how many incredible opportunities NASA offered students pursuing a career in the space industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/when-i-got-to-college-i-discovered-how-many-incredible-opportunities/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) > [It's impossible to put a video online without hoards of anonymous men picking apart your appearance or saying especially cruel things. It works to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/it-s-impossible-to-put-a-video-online-without-hoards-of-anonymous-men/) [Emily Calandrelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) [Explore all 23 Emily Calandrelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/) ## More Hard quotes > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is hard to admit to someone that you love him..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misherie/it-is-hard-to-admit-to-someone-that-you-love-him/) [Misherie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misherie/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [There Was Many Time I Had Wanted To Give Up In Life On So Many Things…But Naw F\*\*\* That...I'm Not Going To Never Give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/out-spoken/there-was-many-time-i-had-wanted-to-give-up-in-life-on-so-many-things/) Out Spoken > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [One of the worst things to come out of the Consumer Protection Board's misleading claims is the impression that government resources are to hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lesko/one-of-the-worst-things-to-come-out-of-the-consumer-protection-board/) [Matthew Lesko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lesko/) > [In our society we have hard nerds and soft nerds. The hard nerds are the ones who used to have the slide rules at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kay/in-our-society-we-have-hard-nerds-and-soft-nerds-the-hard-nerds-are/) [Alan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kay/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [High school, going into my junior year, I kind of had the idea I was going to be the starting running back. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saquon-barkley/high-school-going-into-my-junior-year-i-kind-of-had-the-idea-i-was/) [Saquon Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saquon-barkley/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) Browse all 29,826 Hard quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Representation is so important because it's hard for kids to want to be what they can't see. Little girls and boys need to know that it's natural for girls to love science and tech.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emily Calandrelli" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/representation-is-so-important-because-it-s-hard-for-kids-to-want-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hard" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/representation-is-so-important-because-it-s-hard-for-kids-to-want-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/616/emily-calandrelli-25318_hard_representation-is-so-important-because-i_92182.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Representation is so important because it's hard for kids to want to be what they can't see. Little girls…” — Emily Calandrelli", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Emily Calandrelli", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-calandrelli/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Representation is so important because it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/representation-is-so-important-because-it-s-hard-for-kids-to-want-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-calandrelli/representation-is-so-important-because-it-s-hard-for-kids-to-want-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```