Women in Computer Science Taboo, tradition, possibilities, and future

Ada Byron, Lady Lovelace, was one of the most picturesque characters in computer history. Augusta Ada Byron was born December 10, 1815 the daughter of the illustrious poet, Lord Byron. When inspired, Ada could be very focused and a mathematical taskmaster. Ada suggested to Babbage (her mentor) writing a plan for how his calculating engine might compute Bernoulli numbers. This plan, is now regarded as the first "computer program." A software language developed by the U.S. Department of Defense was named "Ada" in her honor in How it all started…

The Legacy Rear Admiral Dr. Grace Murray Hopper was a remarkable woman who grandly rose to the challenges of programming the first computers. During her lifetime as a leader in the field of software development concepts, she contributed to the transition from primitive programming techniques to the use of sophisticated compilers. Her work spanned programming languages, software development concepts, compiler verification, and data processing. Her early recognition of the potential for commercial applications of computers, and her leadership and perseverance in making this vision a reality, paved the way for modern data processing.

Why Computer Science? "I felt that it was a new field and therefore expanding, so that newcomers would rise more rapidly. Also, because it was a non-traditional field for women, [I hoped that] women would be more easily recognized and advanced.” "I worked as a plant controller for a computer manufacturing company, and moved from accounting to technology." "I needed a job to support myself while going to college, and computer operations was the best-paid ‘blue collar’ work I could find." “When I returned to college after raising five children, I got a job in computer lab. It sounded interesting. Since then, to me, computers have always meant empowerment."

The Rewards ”I like being judged on the quality of the technical results, rather than upon personality, looks or style.” "I love computers, really love them. They’re so logical. When something is broken, it can be found and fixed." "It’s fun. Computing is intellectually exciting. I’m always dreaming about better ways to do something. I have discovered people will pay me good money for something I love. I get the fun, I get the toys, I get to play in the sandbox, and I get good money for it."

The “computer person” image Such people, I knew, were nerdy, socially retarded and usually male. And here I am - me, with my wide circle of friends and fanatical devotion to Maybelline. I’ve had to reconcile the gap between my computer interests and my sense of being, well,... a girl.

The Facts High school policy: steering women to female (read: lower paying careers of cosmetology and health aide)! True or myth? Only two of the top ten college women for year 2002 are in the field of computer science and physics/math. Percentage of bachelor degrees awarded to women in “traditionally male” engineering fields: (year)1959: Less than 1% (year) 2000: 18% National Science Foundation sponsors a number of initiatives geared towards encouraging women to enter and succeed in the field of computer science.