Women Who Changed Tech – Five More Pioneers

In January of 2023, we created our first video about five women who broke barriers and paved the way for the future of technology. This was a kickoff for a new blog series from the Office of the CTO at Extreme Networks to celebrate groundbreaking contributions of historical women in technology. Over the next five months, we published blogs about Ada Lovelace, a British mathematician and writer credited as being the first computer programmer. Dr. Adele Goldberg is an American computer scientist who is known as the “godmother” of graphic user interface (GUI). Annie Easley, a mathematician, and rocket scientist, was a trailblazer as one of the first African American employees at NASA. Grace Hopper was a mathematician and US Navy rear admiral who played a key role in the development of COBOL in the 1950s. Karen Spärk Jones was a computer science researcher and is known for her role in the development of search engine technology.

Back in January 2023, we launched our first video highlighting five trailblazing women who shattered glass ceilings and significantly influenced the future of technology. This release marked the beginning of a new blog series curated by the Office of the CTO at Extreme Networks, aimed at honoring the revolutionary contributions of historical women in tech.

Over the following five months, we shared inspiring stories of these phenomenal women. We delved into the life of Ada Lovelace, a British mathematician and writer recognized as the world's first computer programmer. We featured Dr. Adele Goldberg, an American computer scientist, hailed as the 'godmother' of the graphical user interface (GUI).

In addition, we highlighted the pioneering work of Annie Easley, a mathematician and rocket scientist, celebrated for her role as one of NASA's first African American employees. We honored the impactful contributions of Grace Hopper, a mathematician and U.S. Navy rear admiral, who was instrumental in the development of COBOL during the 1950s. Last but not least, we showcased Karen Spärk Jones, a computer science researcher famed for her seminal role in advancing search engine technology.

And now we have created a follow-up video and we're excited to introduce you to another set of five more pioneers who have significantly molded the world of technology. We'll be delving into the remarkable contributions of Mary Allen Wilkes, Radia Perlman, Elizabeth Jocelyn Feiner, Hedy Lamarr and Lynn Conway. Their innovative work, echoing the legacy of the initial five women in our blog series, has broadened horizons and dramatically revolutionized the tech industry.

We invite you to pause and view our latest video provided below. And remain connected with our upcoming five blogs as we persist in recognizing and applauding the strength and ingenuity of women in technology. Their stories are not just histories of progress, but they are also blueprints for a future where diversity drives innovation in tech.