Trailblazing Women Who Transformed the Tech Industry – A Blog by Neelima Mangal
- Neelima Mangal
- Feb 2, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Women have played and continue to play a pivotal role in the advancement of technology and computing. Their contributions are vast, yet many remarkable women remain unsung heroes. It is essential that we recognize their achievements, not only to honour their work but to inspire future generations. By celebrating these trailblazers, we set new benchmarks, demonstrating that gender should never be a barrier to innovation, impact, or leadership in the tech world.
History Of Ada Lovelace Day
The second Tuesday of every October marks Ada Lovelace Day, a day founded in 2009 by technologist Suw Charman-Anderson, to celebrate the achievements of women in Stem careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and was created in memory of one in particular: Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer.
Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and, in doing so, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers and support women already working in STEM.
“Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men”- Katherine Johnson, NASA MathematicianThroughout history, women have contributed immensely to STEM fields. While it is impossible to capture every story in a single list, we continue to shine a light on inspiring women whose achievements have shaped the world of technology.
Let us recognize and celebrate these leaders, whose stories encourage the next generation to pursue their dreams-confident that talent and determination, not gender, define their potential for positive impact.
1. Ada Lovelace: The World's First Computer Programmer
Born in 1815, Ada Lovelace collaborated with inventor Charles Babbage on the development of the Analytical Engine-one of the earliest concepts for a general-purpose computer. In 1843, Lovelace published what is now recognized as the first computer program, designed to calculate Bernoulli numbers. While Babbage had created individual fragments of code, Lovelace’s work stood out as the most complete and fully published algorithm of the time.
Remarkably, Lovelace was also the first to envision the broader creative power of computing machines. She theorized that the Analytical Engine could do far more than process numbers: with the proper programming, it could potentially generate music, art, and more. Her pioneering insight into the future of technology remained unacknowledged for nearly a century.
Today, Ada Lovelace is widely celebrated as the world’s first computer programmer.Read our detailed biography to discover more about her extraordinary life and legacy.
2. Grace Hopper: The mother of Computing and the creator of the term bug
Widely recognized in the technology community, Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper was a distinguished computer scientist and among the very first programmers to work on the Harvard Mark I. As one of the three pioneering modern programmers, Hopper is renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to the evolution of computer languages.
Known for her wit, boldness, and exceptional intelligence, she built influential careers in both the U.S. Navy and the private sector. Hopper’s visionary work paved the way for the creation of COBOL, an early programming language that remains in use today. In 1947, she documented what is acknowledged as the world’s first actual computer "bug." She is also credited with the famous saying, “It is often easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”
Grace Brewster Murray Hopper was truly a pioneer in computing and a trailblazing naval officer.
3. Hedy Lamarr: The Inventor of WiFi
Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress and innovative inventor whose pioneering work laid the foundation for technologies that now power WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth communications.
Motivated to more directly support the war effort, Lamarr sought to join the Inventors' Council in Washington, DC. Her journey into invention began after learning of the U.S. Navy’s challenges with radio-controlled torpedoes. She went on to co-invent a frequency-hopping system designed to prevent enemy interference concept that became the basis for modern wireless communication.
Reflecting her belief in the power of intellect over appearance, Lamarr once stated, “The brains of people are more interesting than the looks, I think.” The patent for her groundbreaking technology was issued in 1942-decades before WiFi would become a global standard. Although her innovation was not utilized during World War II (she was, at the time, encouraged to promote war bonds instead), the technology first appeared on U.S. Navy ships during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Lamarr’s contributions were eventually recognized: in 1997, she received the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award and became the first woman to win the Bulbie Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award, famously considered the "Oscars of Inventing." In 2014, she was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a true trailblazer in technology.
4. Annie Easley: The NASA Rocket Scientist
Annie Easley was an accomplished American computer scientist, mathematician, and rocket scientist. She began her career at the Lewis Research Center-now known as the Glenn Research Center-of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Easley was among the first African-Americans to work as a computer scientist at NASA and played a pivotal role in the development of software for the Centaur rocket stage.
Over her distinguished 34-year career, Easley contributed to the development and implementation of computer code that analyzed alternative energy technologies, supported the high-energy Centaur rocket stage, and assisted in the assessment of solar, wind, and other energy projects. Her work was instrumental in identifying and optimizing energy conversion systems and alternative solutions to address complex energy challenges.
5. Mary Wilkes: The First Home Computer User
Mary Wilkes is a former computer programmer and logic designer, renowned for developing the software for the LINC, one of the earliest examples of an interactive personal computer.
In 1965, Wilkes made history by designing and using a computer in her own home, a milestone that has led many to recognize her as the world's first home computer user-though this distinction depends on how one defines a "home computer." That same year, she left MIT to join the Computer Systems Laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis.
The critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity that Wilkes honed as a computer programmer later proved invaluable in her legal career, enabling her to approach her work with a holistic and comprehensive perspective.
6. Adele Goldberg: The Inspiration For GUI
Adele Goldberg played a pivotal role in developing the programming language Smalltalk-80, which served as the inspiration for the very first Apple computers.
Goldberg famously described the decision to demonstrate Smalltalk to Steve Jobs as “giving away the kitchen sink”-and she may have been right. The groundbreaking ideas introduced by Goldberg and her team laid the foundation for the graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that are now an integral part of modern computing.
Adele Goldberg’s visionary work continues to influence the design of Apple desktops and the way we interact with computers today.
7. Radia Perlman: The Mother Of The Internet
Nicknamed the “Mother of the Internet,” Radia Perlman revolutionized modern networking with her invention of the algorithm behind the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), a breakthrough essential to the development of today’s internet. Her work fundamentally changed how networks self-organize and manage data flow, establishing foundational principles for internet traffic.
As an engineer and mathematician, Perlman was one of the few women participating in technology development during her era. Her creation of the Spanning Tree Protocol addressed a complex problem in information routing and cemented her reputation as a key innovator in the field. Perlman continues to contribute to the industry as a computer programmer and engineer at Dell EMC, and she is a sought-after keynote speaker at technology conferences around the world.
8. Katherine Johnson: The NASA Mathematician
Katherine Johnson’s mathematical expertise was vital to the success of the United States’ first manned space flights. As a NASA mathematician, her intricate manual calculations were instrumental in several landmark missions, including John Glenn’s historic journey as the first American in orbit. Glenn personally requested that Johnson verify the computer-generated flight trajectory by hand, famously stating, "If she says they’re good, then I’m ready to go."
Long before the advent of modern computing technology, Johnson’s exceptional skills made her renowned as a "human computer," calculating complex flight paths for critical missions. Her trailblazing contributions to space exploration were recognized at age 97, when President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States.
Katherine Johnson’s legacy as a pioneering mathematician continues to inspire generations in the fields of science and engineering.
9. Karen Sparck-Jones: The Pioneer in Information Science
Karen Spärck Jones was a trailblazer in the field of information science, with her research recognized as some of the most influential in the discipline. She developed the concept of Inverse Document Frequency (IDF), a critical weighting factor used to determine the significance of a word within a document. This innovation has become a cornerstone of modern web search engines, underpinning the algorithms that rank documents for search queries.
In 2007, Spärck Jones was honoured with the prestigious Lovelace Medal for her outstanding contributions.
A prominent British computer scientist, Karen Spärck Jones, was also a passionate advocate for women in STEM, particularly in computing and technology. Her pioneering work laid the foundations for contemporary information retrieval the very technology that powers search engines like Google, Alexa, and Bing today.
10. Elizabeth Feinler: The Original Search Engine
Elizabeth Feinler was a pioneer in network information management, overseeing both the ARPANET and later the Defence Data Network (DDN) Network Information Centers (NIC) under contract with the U.S. Department of Defence. These groundbreaking networks served as the precursors to today’s Internet.
Feinler and her team developed the first Internet "yellow pages" and "white pages" servers, as well as the original query-based network host name and address service-known as WHOIS. From 1972 to 1989, her group managed the Host Naming Registry for the Internet. As part of this work, they created the top-level domain naming scheme, introducing .com, .edu, .gov, .mil, .org, and .net-categories that remain fundamental to the Internet’s structure today.
Key Takeaways
Women Have Shaped Technology’s Foundations: From Ada Lovelace’s early programming to Radia Perlman’s networking innovations, women have played critical roles in developing the core technologies that power today’s digital world.
Innovation Beyond Recognition: Many pioneering women made groundbreaking contributions long before receiving widespread acknowledgment, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating diverse talents.
Role Models Inspire Future Generations: Celebrating the achievements of women in STEM creates role models who encourage more girls and women to pursue careers in science and technology, helping to close the gender gap.
Interdisciplinary Skills Drive Success: Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving-demonstrated by figures like Mary Wilkes and Katherine Johnson-are essential across disciplines, empowering innovations in both technology and beyond.
Foundational Technologies Endure: Innovations such as the Inverse Document Frequency (IDF) by Karen Spärck Jones and the top-level domain naming system developed by Elizabeth Feinler remain foundational to today’s internet and search technologies.
Advocacy for Inclusion Matters: Prominent women in tech have also been outspoken advocates for gender equality in STEM fields, emphasizing the ongoing need for inclusion and diversity in technology sectors.
Conclusion
In celebrating these remarkable women pioneers, we recognize not only their groundbreaking contributions to technology but also the enduring legacy they have created for future generations. Their vision, innovation, and determination continue to inspire and empower women worldwide to pursue careers in STEM and to shape the future of technology without boundaries. As we honor their achievements, let us commit to fostering an inclusive and equitable tech community where every voice can contribute to innovation and progress. Together, we can build a smarter, more diverse, and more connected world.
About Author Neelima Mangal
Neelima Mangal is a distinguished technology executive, author, and advocate for women in technology. With over two decades of experience across North America - east coast, west coast, Silicon Valley - she has held leadership roles at major organizations, including Apple Inc., AT&T, Wells Fargo, Scotiabank, ADP and CoFounder of AI360Express.
She is a distinguished member of the Forbes Technology Executive Council and the MIT Sloan CIO Community. Neelima is the Founder of the Empower Women in Tech Alliance (EWTAlliance), a platform dedicated to supporting and advancing women in the tech industry. An accomplished author, her book Climb, Lead, Succeed offers actionable strategies for women's career advancement and is featured in the Forbes Executive Library.
Neelima is also the host of the podcasts Genai360 Express and The Power of Women in the World of Tech, where she discusses innovation, leadership, and inclusivity in technology. She has earned numerous recognitions, her contributions have earned her recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Tech and a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Through her work, Neelima continues to inspire and empower the next generation of women leaders in technology.
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