Breaking Barriers: Inspiring Stories of Women in Tech

Historically, STEM fields have been male-dominated spaces with little visibility or focus on the game-changing contributions of women. Some of the pioneering women whose passion for their work led to revolutionary breakthroughs have had their innovations appropriated and stories lost to a more dominant narrative. Unfortunately, a lack of visible female role models and knowledge of stories of women's contributions to advancing technology means that aspiring women may struggle to envision their own success. 

So, let's take a step toward changing that! As part of our on-going series discussing women-led innovations in tech, we're telling the stories of history's women who drove technology forward and shining a spotlight on their amazing contributions. These stories are more than just inspiring - they're blueprint for overcoming systemic challenges and highlighting the powerful contributions of women in tech over time. They've been there all along!

Why Telling Their Stories Matters

Did you know that actress Hedy Lamarr was the inventor of the basis for wi-fi, GPS, and Bluetooth communication systems? Or that the person who calculated the trajectory for astronaut Alan Shepherd, the first American in space, was a Black mathematician and computer scientist named Katherine Johnson ?

Sharing this history important because seeing what women can and have achieved encourages the generations to come to pursue careers in STEM fields. Without role models, the misconception that technology is "not for women" lingers. When we share their stories, we're helping create a more inclusive and balanced industry, as well as demonstrating what is possible!

Beyond inspiration, telling the stories of women's trailblazing accomplishments in tech has tangible benefits:

• Challenging Stereotypes - Breaking up with outdated ideas that STEM belongs to men, showcasing history's women in tech demonstrates that diverse talent shapes the industry.
• Encouraging Innovation - Offering young women and girls tangible models of success in STEM helps bridge the gap in STEM education and careers.
• Highlight Contributions - Taking the time and effort to recognize and celebrate women's contributions to the field promotes a more accurate and inclusive historical narrative.
• Inspiring Courage - Female role models, women who pressed forward with their interests and overcame the resistance they encountered, give up-and-coming women inspiration to keep going.

History's Female Tech Trailblazers

We mentioned Hedy Lamarr and Katherine Johnson, both incredibly important women in the progress of tech in the 20th century. These women were swimming upstream in a powerful current of patriarchy, sexism, racism, negative stereotypes, and systemic barriers to their achievement in the field. Yet, they persisted despite these strong headwinds threatening to knock them off their moorings. Some additional women whose contributions to the advancement of technology in society include:

Ada Lovelace

An English mathematician, Ada Lovelace is largely regarded as the first computer programmer. Her friend and mentor, Charles Babbage, designed the Analytical Engine, and Lovelace added extensive notes that included a detailed explanation of how it could be used for more than just calculations, speculating that it could perform other operations as well. She had a unique ability to use pattern-based poetic language to describe mathematical insights, often referred to as "poetical science," and saw the potential for how people and society can relate to technology as a collaborative tool. 

Grace Hopper

American computer scientist, mathematician, and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, Grace Hopper was a vanguard of computer programming. She was the first person to formulate the theory of machine-independent programming languages. She applied this theory to develop the FLOW-MATIC programming language, and COBOL - a language still in use today - and oversaw the development of one of the first COBOL compilers. Her compiler converted English terms into machine code understood by computers, which continues to shape how computers are programmed today. 

Sister Mary Kenneth Keller

Sister Mary Kenneth Keller was the one of first people in the United States to earn a PhD in computer science. A strong advocate for women's involvement in computing, Sister Keller believed in the potential for computers to promote education by way of increasing access to information. She founded the computer science department at Clarke College (now Clarke University), wrote four books in the field, and helped establish the Association of Small Computer Users in Education (ASCUE) .

Karen Spärck Jones

Karen Spärck Jones was a British self-taught programmer, computer and information scientist who pioneered the technology that underpins most search engines, called 'inverse document frequency' (IDF). Her work combining statistics and linguistics paved the way for developments in the fields of information retrieval and natural language processing. She was a strong advocate for women in computer science, and her slogan, "Computing is too important to be left to men," serves as a clarion call for women to keep pursuing their STEM dreams.

The ENIAC Programmers

The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first programmable, electronic, general purpose digital computer, created to calculate ballistics trajectories for the Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory in 1945. It was primarily programmed by six women: Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman. The women were handed wiring and logical diagrams of the machine and then instructed to 'figure it out.' They successfully calculated and programmed the massive machine, changing the trajectory of computer science forever.

Their contributions were nearly lost to history due to the prevailing attitudes surrounding women in technology fields at the time and the novelty of computer programming. Thanks to Kathy Kleiman , cofounder of ICANN, the women's stories were rediscovered and celebrated.  

Annie Easley

Annie Easley was an African American computer scientist and mathematician who made significant, mission-critical contributions to NASA's rocket systems and energy technologies. Her work included the Centaur project, which helped build the technological foundations for the space shuttle launches, as well as communication, military, and weather satellite launches. 

As one of three African American women employed at NASA, Annie Easley faced a particularly difficult career journey , often facing blatant discrimination because of her race and gender. She famously stated, "My head is not in the sand. But my thing is, if I can't work with you, I will work around you. I was not about to be so discouraged that I'd walk away." Despite the obstacles, she pressed on, doing the work she was confident she had the ability to do and advocating for young female and minority students in college to work in STEM fields. 

Ginni Rometty

Ginni Rometty is the first female CEO of a major technology company, leading IBM from 2012 to 2020. She began her career at IBM in 1981, rising through the ranks to eventually take the helm as Chairman, President, and CEO . Ginni Rometty navigated the company through a major market repositioning, equipping the legacy tech company for the future with smart investments and portfolio changes, including deep investment in enterprise cloud-based solutions and AI. Of her time at IBM, a colleague noted, "She was the industry's leading voice on technology ethics and data stewardship." 

How Telling Their Stories Shapes the Future

These stories of women in STEM fields overcoming obstacles to push forward in their fields does more than inspire; it lays the foundation for systemic change. When women see themselves reflected in success stories, they're more likely to:

• Pursue STEM Education - Exposure to role models increases confidence and interest in technical subjects.
• Enter Tech Careers - Seeing that others have navigated similar challenges and overcome them helps reduce the fear of being the "only woman in the room."
• Lead and Innovate - Having examples to inspire them encourages women to make their own mark on the industry.

The Role of Media and Education in Storytelling

The way we tell stories matters! Media, educational curricula, and professional networks play a big role in shaping public opinion and inspiring future generations. Strategies for amplifying the stories of women in STEM include:

• Incorporating Women's Contributions into STEM Education - Ensuring that curriculums in school highlight the work of female scientists, engineers, and tech leaders.
• Promoting Visibility in Media and Conferences - Featuring women in tech at industry events, interviews, and panels to normalize their experience.
• Encouraging Mentorship and Networking - Creating opportunities for women to connect. share their experiences, and support each other in their professional journeys.
• Leveraging Digital Platforms - Blogs, podcasts, and social media are all venues for sharing the inspiring stories about women in tech. 

"What's Up With Chicks and Science?"

You may have noticed that here at EventBuilder, we're deeply passionate about lifting the voices of women in STEM fields and telling their stories. We think this anecdote illustrates perfectly the reason why:

In 2014, Neil deGrasse Tyson was filmed at a lecture panel responding to a question posed by former Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President Lawrence Summers. Summers suggested that genetic differences could explain why there are fewer girls in science, stating, "What's up with chicks and science?" deGrasse Tyson fielded the comment , sharing his experience as a Black astrophysicist in a white male-dominated field. Calling his ambition to be a scientist "the path of most resistance" and drawing parallels from his journey to that of women who pursue STEM careers, he asks the question, "What is the blood on the tracks that I happened to survive that others did not simply because of the forces of society that prevented at every turn?" deGrasse Tyson stated, "...my life experience tells me that when you don't find Blacks in the field, you don't find women in the sciences. I know that these forces are real and I had to survive them to get where I am today. So before we start talking about genetic differences, you've got to come up with a system where there's equal opportunity. Then we can have that conversation."

We wholeheartedly agree.

Building a Future of Inclusion and Innovation

At EventBuilder, we believe in the power of storytelling to bring about meaningful change. The stories of women in STEM aren't just part of history, they're a roadmap for the future. The more we celebrate the achievements of women in STEM, the more we pave the way for a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative industry. We're committed to elevate the voices of women in STEM by:

• Hosting Virtual Events - Providing spaces to celebrate the achievements of women in technology through webinars and panel discussions.
• Featuring Inspirational Speakers - Showcasing women who have made an impact in STEM fields to serve as role models for the next generation.
• Building Community Networks - Creating opportunities for women in tech to connect, share knowledge, and support each other.
• Amplifying Visibility - Using digital events to highlight achievements, giving women in tech a place to receive the recognition they so richly deserve.

Let's continue to elevate the voices of women in STEM and make certain that their contributions to technology and other STEM fields don't fade away into history!

Ready to take the next step? Explore our software and world-class event management services, attend our events,  or connect with us to see how we can help support your commitment to amplify the work of women in STEM!