The 8 March marks International Women’s Day, and to celebrate, we shine a spotlight on some of the many remarkable women in the technology sector. From computer programmers to AI experts, leaders and entrepreneurs, here are just a few of the inspiring women who have paved, and are paving, the way to a better future for technology.
Each year International Women’s Day takes on a different theme and this year we’re encouraged to #BreakTheBias as we strive to move towards a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.
Here at LOYAL, we’re very much conscious of the underrepresentation of women in technology, the importance of gender diversity within this space, and the incredible technological achievements women have made to date.
So, to champion these great accomplishments and inspire more women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), here are ten brilliant women we wish to celebrate in the world of technology.
1. Ada Lovelace (1815 – 1852)
Ada Lovelace, the only child of poet Lord Byron, is often regarded as the first computer programmer. While working on English mathematician Charles Babbage’s prototype of a digital computer, the Analytical Engine, and immersing herself in mathematics she discovered that the machine had applications beyond simple calculation. It was through this discovery that she published the first algorithm and became a trailblazer for females in maths and science.
Check out the Ada Lovelace Institute and the work it’s doing to distribute the benefits of data and artificial intelligence. You can also watch this video to find out more about Ada Lovelace’s life and achievements.
2. Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE
Computing prodigy, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE was the youngest girl ever to pass A-level computing aged 12. She has since co-founded Stemettes, an award-winning social initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation of young women in STEM. The organisation has supported almost 60,000 young people in its mission to create a more diverse and blanched science and tech community.
Did you know we owe the material that is used to make bulletproof vests to a woman? How about elasticity – ever considered a woman contributed to this theory?
We caught up with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon to discover her take on #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience 🔬 pic.twitter.com/5igJshOiLC
— unboxed2022 (@unboxed2022) February 11, 2022
3. Tabitha Goldstaub
As chair of the UK government’s AI Council, Tabitha is responsible for supporting the growth of AI in the UK and promoting its adoption and use in business and society. She is also co-founder of AI-driven content app CogX, and a champion of gender diversity in technology, having written a book guiding girl’s through a world dominated by AI, entitled How to Talk to Robots. Tabitha has also co-founded Future Girl Corp and is an advisor to TeensInAI and on the board of Tech UK.
4. Nadine Kroher
Nadine is a research scientist at TMC2, an award-winning research and investment firm specialising in artificial intelligence and machine learning across a diverse range of fields, including fintech, music, sports, media, and emotional perception. Having completed a PHD in applied mathematics, Nadine now works on a range of cutting-edge technologies, such as music information retrieval, natural language processing and computer vision processing where she is experimenting with new applications to benefit businesses across industries.
“I’d recommend the Women in Music Information Retrieval (WiMIR) group for anyone in the music information retrieval space,” says Nadine. “It’s a pretty narrow community of people working on a very specific part of machine learning. They have a great mentoring programme which enables you to get outside objective opinions on your work and career.”
5. Flavilla Fongang
Named one of the top 5 most influential women in tech in the UK by Computer Weekly, Flavilla is founder of the GTA Black Women in Tech group, a non-for-profit organisation on a mission to inspire, connect and support black women within the tech sphere so that they can excel. She is also founder of 3 Colours Rule, a creative branding and marketing agency for tech companies, and hosts the Tech Brain Talk podcast which features engaging discussions with key individuals in the tech world.
6. Nina Nduwayo
Nina is Lead Data Scientist at Ravelin Technology and formerly Senior Data Analyst at Station10 and an active advocate for encouraging people from under-represented backgrounds to enter tech. She was listed in the 10 eminent black women in UK tech inspiring others and making waves in 2021 by UK Tech News and works across data engineering, statistical analysis and applying cutting-edge machine learning solutions.
7. Sarah Luxford
Sarah is Director at digital, data and technology solutions company Global Resourcing and Co-founder of TLA Women in Tech. Having been nominated in the top 10 most influential women in UK Tech, she sits on the advisory board for Tech London Advocates, diversity advisory board for Founders4Schools and is was an ambassador for London Tech Week in 2016.
8. Grace Hopper (1906 – 1992)
Grace was a talented mathematician and computer scientist who joined the United States Navy and became a rear admiral. She pioneered computer technology and was an accomplished computer programmer, involved in the creation of UNIVAC, the first all-electronic digital computer.
9. Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton was perhaps the most famous of the women behind the Apollo missions. When she joined the space programme in the US, the young mathematician quickly rose to the post of Director of the Apollo flight computer programming. Her achievements were critical to landing humankind on the moon for the first time.
10. The female codebreakers of Bletchley Park
The thousands of female codebreakers of Bletchley Park, an English country manor, had the incredibly important role of deciphering enemy code during the second world war. These women had a monumental impact on the war effort by breaking supposedly unbreakable German Axis codes.
Hear the real-life stories from the Veterans of Bletchley Park themselves in the video below:
Are you a woman working in artificial intelligence? Check out Women in AI and The Alan Turing Institute for more support and ways to excel in your career.
Join the conversation #IWD2022.
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