March is here, and with it starts the celebration of Women’s History Month. Women, much like their counterparts, are determined, innovative, and powerful. But what sets women apart from much of their counterparts is the challenges they have had to overcome. It’s no secret that women have historically worked harder to be seen and heard, and thankfully that gap is narrowing, but there is much work to be done. Today, we want to take a moment to pay tribute to a few historical women in tech. These women helped pave the way not only to those who followed suit but to the world as their contributions to tech were groundbreaking, and their achievements are utilized in today’s robust tech industry.
KATHERINE JOHNSON
Katherine made her mark in technology while working at NASA. Not only was she one of the first females to work at NASA, but her math skills were more trusted than that of a computer. Before a mission orbiting earth, on of the lead astronauts requested that Katherine go over all of the data before taking off. Katherine continued to make her mark at NASA until she retired.
Discover more about Katherine: https://www.nasa.gov/content/katherine-johnson-biography
ADA LOVELACE
It may surprise you that not only was the first computer programmer a woman but that she was given this title in the 1800s. Ada’s innovative ideas and inquisitive mind were beyond many during her time for men and women. Her achievements were so impressive that an award was created in her honor. The Ada Lovelace Award is granted to innovative women in tech annually.
Learn more here: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ada-Lovelace
GRACE HOPPER
Ever wonder where the term “computer bug” was coined? Grace Hopper first used this term when an actual bug caused problems in her computer. She removed the bug, also coining the phrase “debugging.” Ms. Hopper most certainly left a legacy behind with many accomplishments under her belt. Not only was she the author of the first computer programming manual, but she also helped build Harvard’s Mark II and Mark III computers and helped build the first computer language compiler.
Learn more here: https://news.yale.edu/2017/02/10/grace-murray-hopper-1906-1992-legacy-innovation-and-service
ELIZABETH FEINLER
The domain naming such as .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .org, and .net largely exist due to Elizabeth Feinler, but that wasn’t her most significant contribution to the tech world. Elizabeth is credited for creating the first search engine and helping develop an early model of today’s email systems. Elizabeth’s mark on tech doesn’t stop there. Learn more about her achievements below:
https://www.witi.com/halloffame/359632/Elizabeth–Feinler-Internet-Pioneer-Active-Volunteer/
HEDDY LAMARR
Heddy Lamarr was a remarkable woman. Although her role in the tech space was short-lived, tech was forever changed because of her ingenious mind. Heddy is dubbed the “mother of Wifi” as her patented concept for a communications system was later used to create wifi. Unfortunately, Heddy wasn’t given many opportunities in tech throughout her life, but her contribution certainly made a huge impact.
Learn more about Heddy here: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/hedy-lamarr