Maya Ajmera facts for kids

Maya Ajmera is a leader who helps people learn about science and supports children around the world. She is the President and CEO of Society for Science and also the Executive Publisher of Science News, a magazine about science.

Maya Ajmera also started an organization called Global Fund for Children. This group helps small, local organizations that work with children and young people who need help the most. She has also written many books, including over twenty children's books like Children from Australia to Zimbabwe and Healthy Kids.

About Maya Ajmera

Early Life and Education

Maya Ajmera grew up in eastern North Carolina. Her parents came from India. She went to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. Later, she studied biology at Bryn Mawr College. She also earned a master's degree in public policy from Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.

Making a Difference: Her Career

Maya Ajmera started The Global Fund for Children (GFC) in 1994 when she was 25. She got the idea during a trip to India. She saw a teacher teaching children on a train platform. These children were poor and couldn't go to regular school. This inspired her to help children like them.

Instead of going to medical school, Maya went to Duke University. With help from Duke and a professor, she won a special grant. This money helped her create GFC. The organization supports new and creative ways to help vulnerable children worldwide.

While she led GFC, the organization gave almost $25 million to nearly 500 local groups in 75 countries. These grants helped more than seven million children around the world. Maya left her role as president in 2011 but stayed on GFC's board for a few more years.

Since 2014, Maya Ajmera has been the President and CEO of Society for Science. She is also the Executive Publisher of Science News. The Society for Science is famous for its big science competitions for students. These include the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Maya herself was once part of a science talent search when she was younger.

Maya also serves on the boards of several important organizations. These include Kids in Need of Defense and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Foundation.

About Maya's Family

Maya Ajmera is married to David Hollander Jr. They have one daughter. Her family comes from different parts of India, with roots in the Rajasthani people and Biharis.

Awards and Recognition

Maya Ajmera has received many awards for her work.

• In 2007, she was featured on CNN's Heroes. Actress Mira Sorvino even called Maya her hero.
• In 2008, she received the Women of Distinction award. This award honors women who have achieved great things and inspire young women.
• In 2014, Rotary International gave her the Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award.
• In 2020, she received the National Science Board's Public Service Award. This was for her efforts to help people understand science and engineering better. She is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
• In 2021, she received an honorary degree from Cedar Crest College.

Books for Kids

Maya Ajmera has written many wonderful books for children. Here are some of them:

• Xanadu: The Imaginary Place (1999)
• Extraordinary Girl (1999)
• Let the Games Begin! (2000)
• Children from Australia to Zimbabwe (2001)
• Come Out and Play (2001)
• To Be a Kid (2001)
• Back to School (2001)
• A Kid's Best Friend (2002)
• Animal Friends (2002)
• To Be an Artist (2004)
• Be My Neighbor (2004)
• Children of the USA (2008)
• Faith (2009)
• Our Grandparents: A Global Album (2010)
• What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World (2012)
• Global Baby Girls (2013)
• Healthy Kids (2013)
• Music Everywhere! (2014)
• Global Baby Boys (2014)
• Global Baby Bedtimes (2015)
• Every Breath We Take (2016)
• Global Baby Playtime (2021)
• Global Baby Grandparents (2024)

Many famous people have written introductions for Maya's books. These include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Melinda French Gates, Julianne Moore, and even Kermit the Frog!