NotaRazi: Women in Computer Science

Friday, March 20, 2009

Women in Computer Science

It is undeniable that the computer industry is predominantly male. Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft. Steve Jobs is the founder of Apple computers. Sergey Brin and Larry Page are the founders of the Google search engine. While some of the most ground-breaking names in the computer industry are male, there have been several noteworthy women who have taken leadership roles in computer development and contributed valuable technological advancements to the computer industry.

Famous Contributions of Women to the Computer Field

Grace Murray Hopper was one of the first women to venture into the world of computer science. She was one of the first computer programmers to be onboard with the Harvard Mark I, which is said to be the first universal calculator.

Jean E. Sammet was a computer scientist who was employed by IBM for almost 28 years. She developed the computer programming language FORMAC, which was the first internationally used computer programming language.

Barbara H. Liskov was the first woman in the United States to receive a PHD in computer science; she received her PHD in 1968 from Stanford University.

In early 2000, Carly Fiorina was appointed as CEO and chairman of the board of Hewlett-Packard. In 1993, Fortune magazine claimed Fiorina as most powerful woman in business; she held the title until 2003.

Meg Whitman was appointed as CEO of the online auction website eBay in 1998 and was named most powerful woman in business by Fortune magazine, in 2004.

Anita Borg founded the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology in 1997, which was funded by Xerox.

Additional Links:

Computer Career Statistics

Women Advised to Pursue Tech Careers

The Forces Driving Women Out of Computer Science

Chicks Don't Go Into Computer Science

Famous Women in Computer Science

Women and Computer Science

Women of NASA

Every IT Woman Needs a Peer Network

Computer Science Degrees Starting Salaries

The IT Profession 2010