Women’s History Month 2025 – Women in Tech
This Women’s History Month, Elevate Women in Tech celebrates both the women of the past who shaped our present and those in our community planting seeds for the future. The growth in our community is proof that members around the world, women like you are ready to break barriers, change systems, and build a more inclusive quality of life for everyone.
Our mission remains the same: We are committed to closing the gender gap in tech—not just in March, but every day. At Halzak / Elevate Women in Tech, our mission is to “Elevate women and girls in tech from the classroom to the boardroom.”
As we commemorate Women’s History Month, it’s essential to recognise the groundbreaking contributions women have made to technology and computing. From the world’s first programmer to today’s AI pioneers, women have shaped our digital world despite significant barriers. Their stories inspire future generations and remind us that innovation thrives with diverse perspectives.
The Pioneers Who Laid the Foundation – Women in Tech
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852): The First Programmer
Born in 1815, Ada Lovelace is widely acknowledged as the world’s first computer programmer. Collaborating with Charles Babbage on his “Analytical Engine,” she wrote what is considered the first algorithm intended for machine processing. Far ahead of her time, Lovelace envisioned computers’ potential beyond mere calculations, predicting their application in music composition and scientific analysis—a visionary perspective in the 19th century.
Grace Hopper (1906-1992): The Queen of Code
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper revolutionised programming by developing the first compiler, which translated human instructions into machine code. She popularised the term “debugging” after literally removing a moth from a computer. Hopper’s work on COBOL, one of the first high-level programming languages, made computing more accessible and practical for business applications, fundamentally changing how we interact with computers.
Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000): Hollywood Star and Inventor
Beyond her fame as a Hollywood actress, Hedy Lamarr was an inventor who co-created a frequency-hopping technology during World War II. Her innovation laid the groundwork for secure WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS technologies we rely on today. Lamarr’s story exemplifies how women’s technical contributions were often overlooked or marginalised in historical accounts.
Katherine Johnson (1918-2020): The Human Computer
NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson performed critical calculations that ensured the success of America’s first human spaceflight and later Apollo missions. Using only pencil, paper, and a slide rule, Johnson calculated trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths. Her story, highlighted in the film “Hidden Figures,” exemplifies how women of colour overcame both gender and racial barriers to advance technology and science.
Network and Computing Revolutionaries – Women in tech
Radia Perlman (b. 1951): Mother of the Internet
Often called the “Mother of the Internet,” Radia Perlman invented the Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) while working at Digital Equipment Corporation in the 1980s. This breakthrough algorithm prevented loops in Ethernet networks, ensuring their stability and reliability. Her work on network design fundamentals enabled the robust, scalable internet infrastructure we depend on today.
Annie Easley (1933-2011): Rocket Scientist and Early Coder
As a NASA computer scientist and mathematician, Annie Easley developed software for the Centaur rocket stage, contributing to the foundation of modern spaceflight. Beginning her career as a “human computer” before electronic computers were widespread, Easley later became an accomplished programmer. She was also a champion for gender and racial diversity in STEM fields.
Frances Allen (1932-2020): Compiler Optimisation Pioneer
The first woman to win the prestigious Turing Award (computing’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize), Frances Allen made groundbreaking contributions to compiler optimisation techniques. Her work dramatically improved code efficiency and performance, setting standards still used in programming language design today.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Tech Leadership – Women in Tech
Dame Stephanie “Steve” Shirley (b. 1933): Entrepreneur and Workplace Innovator
In 1962, Stephanie Shirley founded Freelance Programmers, a software company that employed almost exclusively women, many working from home—revolutionary at the time. To overcome gender bias, she signed business correspondence as “Steve.” Her company ultimately employed over 8,500 people and was valued at hundreds of millions of pounds. Shirley pioneered flexible work arrangements and women’s leadership in tech decades before these became mainstream conversations.
Ursula Burns (b. 1958): Transformative CEO
As the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, Ursula Burns transformed Xerox from a declining photocopier manufacturer into a document technology and business services leader. Beginning as an intern in 1980, Burns rose through engineering and leadership roles before becoming CEO in 2009. Her leadership during a pivotal technological transition demonstrated how diverse perspectives drive innovation and corporate reinvention.
Lisa Su (b. 1969): Semiconductor Industry Leader
As CEO of AMD since 2014, Lisa Su has orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the semiconductor industry. With a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT, Su’s technical expertise and strategic vision transformed AMD from near-bankruptcy to a market leader challenging Intel’s dominance. Under her leadership, AMD has delivered breakthrough processor innovations and expanded into new markets.
Today’s Innovators Shaping Our Digital Future – Women in Tech
Dr. Fei-Fei Li (b. 1976): The Godmother of AI
As the “godmother of AI” and co-director of Stanford’s Human-Centred AI Institute, Dr. Fei-Fei Li has revolutionised computer vision and championed ethical AI development. Her creation of ImageNet, a massive visual database, helped spark the deep learning revolution. Beyond her technical contributions, Li founded AI4ALL to increase diversity in artificial intelligence fields, ensuring that AI systems reflect a broader range of human perspectives and needs.
Barbara Castle (1910-2002): Equality Advocate
While primarily known for her political career, Barbara Castle’s advocacy for the Equal Pay Act of 1970 in the UK had profound implications for women in technology and all fields. Inspired by the women of Ford Dagenham who went on strike after discovering gender-based pay discrimination, Castle’s legislation established a principle that continues to influence workplace equity discussions in tech today.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini (b. 1989): Algorithmic Justice Advocate
As founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Dr. Joy Buolamwini has exposed critical biases in facial recognition systems that disproportionately misidentify women and people of colour. Her groundbreaking research demonstrated how AI systems can perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases. Buolamwini’s work at the intersection of technology and civil rights is reshaping how we develop and regulate AI systems to ensure they work equitably for all people.
Reshma Saujani (b. 1975): Coding Education Advocate
Founder of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani has worked to close the gender gap in technology by inspiring, educating, and equipping young women with computing skills. Since its founding in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached hundreds of thousands of girls, creating a pipeline of future women technologists and engineers. Saujani’s advocacy challenges the status quo of tech culture and education.
Megan Smith (b. 1964): Tech Policy Trailblazer
As the first female Chief Technology Officer of the United States (serving under President Obama), Megan Smith brought technical expertise to national policy discussions. Previously a vice president at Google, Smith has championed the application of technical talent to solve civic problems and improve government services. Her leadership demonstrated how technical expertise and public service can combine to address society’s greatest challenges.
The Continuing Journey – Women in Tech
These remarkable women represent just a fraction of those who have shaped our technological landscape. Their achievements are all the more impressive considering the barriers they faced. From explicit discrimination to subtle biases, women in technology have consistently needed to demonstrate extraordinary determination and excellence.
As we celebrate their accomplishments this Women’s History Month, we must also acknowledge that the journey toward gender equity in technology remains incomplete. Women continue to be underrepresented in technical roles, leadership positions, and venture funding recipients.
By highlighting these trailblazers’ stories, we not only honour their legacy but also inspire future generations to build on their foundations. The rich history of women in technology reminds us that innovation thrives with diverse perspectives, and our digital future will be brighter when all voices contribute to its creation.
At Halzak / Elevate Women in Tech, we’re committed to continuing this journey – “Elevating women and girls in tech from the classroom to the boardroom”. We believe that by celebrating these pioneers and supporting today’s women in technology, we can create pathways for the future generation of innovators. Join us in our mission to close the gender gap in tech, not just during Women’s History Month, but every day of the year.
Interested in our award-winning ElevateHER Leadership Mentor Program? Be sure to join us on 18th March 12-1:30pm for our virtual International Women’s Day event sign up today via this Link – https://lu.ma/igyz7g0h
