Maria Inés Folta

Web Developer

Boston

Maria Inés is a software engineer with a passion for projects that use technology to drive social change – especially within education and political engagement.

In 2013, Maria Inés was a member of The Dream 9, a group of nine young undocumented activists who walked to the USA-Mexico border and demanded to be let in and granted asylum. The purpose of their action was to put a national spotlight to family re-unification during a time of unmet promises to the immigrant community. The Dream 9 took activism around youth immigration farther than it had ever been taken before. What they did was not only risky, but difficult. In the end, their action landed them in detention and solitary confinement. After witnessing first hand the inhumane treatment given to asylum seekers, Maria Inés decided to go back to college and study Sociology. Maria Inés spent five years in the non-profit world helping immigrant women and youth find their voice.

Recently, she had the opportunity to learn web development and has become passionate about creating technology for good; focusing on female empowerment, and human rights. In 2017, her team participated in SheHacks, a female led Hackathon in Boston College, there, her team was recognized for their project called Resisté, a panic button application that could alert family members and immigration attorney if you are experiencing an immigration raid.