Anita Borg Biography
Credited for being one of the few women in computing and a pioneer for women in technological careers, Anita Borg was an amazing American computer scientist and leader. She was born on January 17, 1949 and raised in Illinois and taught herself how to program while she was working in a small insurance company. She was able to earn her Doctorate in computer science from New York University in 1981, and noticing there were barely any women in the computer science field, she wanted to give technological opportunities to females. In 1987, she co-founded the Systers digital community with twelve other women who were skilled in computer science. Today, it has become one of the leading organizations for women in technology, and it is affiliated with many leading academic institutions. Women in technology were able to discuss their experiences and share their advice to each other in the Systers community. She believed that organizations that actively included women would increase innovation and solve many worldly problems. With her determination, high technical skills, and leadership, she became the founder of the Institute for Women and Technology, and paved a way for the inclusion of women in computer science. She passed away on April 6, 2003 in Sonoma, California.
References
- AnitaB.org. (n.d.). About Anita Borg & supporting women technologists: Our history. https://anitab.org/our-history
- IT History Society. (n.d.). Dr. Anita Borg: Bio/description. https://www.ithistory.org/honor-roll/dr-anita-borg
