ENIAC, the world’s first digital computer had six primary programmers: Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas and Ruth Lichterman. [Sources: Philly Voice, Photo: Los Alamos]

Women’s History Month through a CSforALL Lens

Thanks to recent popular films like the Imitation Game, Jobs and Hidden Figures, and documentaries like Silicon Cowboys and The Computers, the history of computing is finding its way into popular culture-including the historic contributions of women to the field. There’s even word on the street that a major biopic on Admiral Grace Murray Hopper’s life is in development. This is welcome news for those of us interested in ‘righting’ history, when it comes to women in CS and providing role models that enable girls to see themselves in computing.

To further that goal, this Women’s History Month we are highlighting the contributions of women to the foundations of computing and technology, celebrating the women who have dedicated themselves to computer science education, and sharing the stories, influences and dreams of young women just entering the field.

Get ready for an inspiring month of stories of women in computing past, present and future. To get you started, here’s a delightful video of Admiral Hopper on the Late Show with David Letterman upon her 3rd retirement in 1986.

Letterman: How did you know so much about computers then?

Hopper: I didn’t, it was the first one.

Admiral Grace Hopper blowing David Letterman’s mind. 1986

Stay tuned…we’ll be broadcasting the power of women in computing on all channels! Follow CSforALL Consortium & #CSforALL, and sign up for the CSforALL newsletter to stay in the loop!