Computers as we know them now are a comparatively new technology. But now computers are an integral part of our daily lives. From everyday jobs such as operating a motor vehicle, to our work surroundings and our home, computers are a key part of our life. Women have played a key role in the development of computer conceptions and programming over the past years.
Among the first women to be involved in computer science was Ada Lovelace the most picturesque characters in computer history. She was a mathematician in the 1800s and considered to be the first programmer because of her work in writing the language for Charles Babbages's analytical engine. Her understanding of mathematics was tied with imagination, and illustrate in metaphors. As acknowledgment of her accomplishments, the U.S. Defense Department in 1980 named a computer language, ADA, after her.
Over the years many women besides Ada Lovelace have been involved in building computer programs.
They embrace Grace Hopper, who helped create the COBOL computer language. Other women programmers include Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas, Ruth Lichterman, and Kay McNulty helped create ENIAC in 1946. In 1962 Jean Sammet created the FORMAC programming language.
While women have played an important role in the history of the development of computers and computer programming, there is a concern over the future of women in computers. Women have been studying computer science in colleges and universities for many years, with Barbara Liscov in 1968 becoming the first women to receive a Doctorate in Computer Science. However, fewer women are majoring in computer science today than 10 or 20 years ago. This is prompting many colleges and universities to change their programs to become more appealing to women.
Additionally the women pioneers in the computer science field, many other women have made notable accomplishments in the field. Roberta Williams is one of the leaders in creating graphical elements for video games. Susan Kare created interface elements and icons for the Apple Mac. Another woman that has contributed in computer science is Radia Perlman. Sometimes she is referred to as the "Mother of the Internet", Radia Perlman is well known for her invention of the spanning-tree protocol which is fundamental to the functioning of network bridges. Other women that have contributed to the advancement of women in computer science include Sally Floyd, Eva Tardos, and Jeri Ellsworth.
Because women have played an important role in computer science, they have created quite a lot of groups designed at networking, sharing information, and advancing the cause of women in computers.
Some of these organizations include the Association for Progressive Communications (Women's Networking Support Program), the British Computer Society (Women's GroupI, LinuxChix and Girl Geek Dinners.
Women have had an impact on the precedent progress in the computer science arena. With the effort of these pioneers to pave the way, today's women in computer science have many role models to help tile the approach for their career paths.
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