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Women in Tech
Mathematicians, engineers and founders who shaped computing and the industry around it.
“ That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal; as time will show. ”
— Ada Lovelace
Science Women She / Her · Pronounced: AY-duh LUV-layss
She / Her · Pronounced: AY-duh LUV-layss
Source: Widely cited from her personal correspondence · original link to be verified
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Lovelace on her own mathematical ability, in a letter written decades before the world had a use for it.
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“ The Analytical Engine has no pretensions whatever to originate anything. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform. ”
— Ada Lovelace
Science Women She / Her · Pronounced: AY-duh LUV-layss
She / Her · Pronounced: AY-duh LUV-layss
Context From her notes translating an Italian paper on Babbage's Analytical Engine, now regarded as the first computer program.
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“ A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are for. Sail out to sea and do new things. ”
— Grace Hopper
Technology Women She / Her · Pronounced: GRAYSS HOP-er
She / Her · Pronounced: GRAYSS HOP-er
Source: Widely attributed to Hopper · original link to be verified
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Hopper on why she pushed computing into new, untested territory throughout her career.
“ The most dangerous phrase in the language is, 'We've always done it this way.' ”
— Grace Hopper
Technology Women She / Her · Pronounced: GRAYSS HOP-er
She / Her · Pronounced: GRAYSS HOP-er
Source: Computerworld interview · original link to be verified
Context Hopper, a US Navy rear admiral and computer scientist, on resistance to change in data processing.
“ Any girl can be glamorous. All she has to do is stand still and look stupid. ”
— Hedy Lamarr
Science Women She / Her · Pronounced: HAY-dee luh-MAR
She / Her · Pronounced: HAY-dee luh-MAR
Source: Widely attributed to Lamarr · original link to be verified
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Lamarr, an actress who co-invented an early frequency-hopping technology used in wireless communication, on being seen only for her looks.
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“ I think it's very important to get more women into computing. My slogan is: Computing is too important to be left to men. ”
— Karen Spärck Jones
Science Women She / Her · Pronounced: KAIR-un SPAIRK JOHNZ
She / Her · Pronounced: KAIR-un SPAIRK JOHNZ
Source: Widely quoted, including in Cambridge University tributes · original link to be verified
Context Spärck Jones, whose research underpins modern search engines, on why computing needs more women in it.
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“ Someone once told me growth and comfort do not coexist, and I think it's a really good thing to remember. ”
— Ginni Rometty
Business Women She / Her · Pronounced: JIN-ee roh-MET-ee
She / Her · Pronounced: JIN-ee roh-MET-ee
Context Rometty, the first woman to lead IBM as CEO, on advice she carried through her career.
“ I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that's how you grow. When there's that moment of 'Wow, I'm not really sure I can do this,' and you push through those moments, that's when you have a breakthrough. ”
— Marissa Mayer
Business Women She / Her · Pronounced: muh-RISS-uh MAY-er
She / Her · Pronounced: muh-RISS-uh MAY-er
Source: Widely attributed to Mayer · original link to be verified
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Mayer, an early Google executive and former Yahoo CEO, on taking on roles before feeling ready for them.
“ I want to reframe the narrative for the industry and allow everyone to express themselves authentically. ”
— Beckie Taylor
Technology Women She / Her · Pronounced: BEK-ee TAY-lor
She / Her · Pronounced: BEK-ee TAY-lor
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Taylor, founder of Voices in Tech, on her aim for the tech industry.
“ I remember looking around and noticing the lack of women in the workspace and I knew this had to change. ”
— Vanessa Vallely
Business Women She / Her · Pronounced: vuh-NESS-uh vuh-LEE-lee
She / Her · Pronounced: vuh-NESS-uh vuh-LEE-lee
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Vallely on what pushed her to found WeAreTheCity.
“ I believe in embracing my vulnerability to inspire and impact others. ”
— Beckie Taylor
Technology Women She / Her · Pronounced: BEK-ee TAY-lor
She / Her · Pronounced: BEK-ee TAY-lor
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Taylor, founder of Voices in Tech, on why she shares her own struggles publicly rather than only her successes.
“ We need to start focusing on bravery over perfection. We're raising our girls to be perfect, and we're raising our boys to be brave. ”
— Reshma Saujani
Business Women Asian She / Her · Pronounced: RESH-mah SOH-juh-nee
She / Her · Pronounced: RESH-mah SOH-juh-nee
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
Context Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, on how girls and boys are raised differently.
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