We say technology has no gender. But here’s a question: Why does the industry still look like a boys’ club?
Women have been inventing, pioneering, and disrupting tech for centuries—writing the first lines of code, designing the backbone of the internet, and literally launching humans into space. But history has a habit of crediting only men for their breakthroughs (looking at you, workplace bias).
Even now, bias and systemic barriers keep women from advancing in tech. They receive less funding, fewer promotions, and lower pay, all while driving some of the most groundbreaking innovations in the industry.
And yet—against all odds—they keep innovating, leading, and proving that tech’s future isn’t just male. It’s diverse, bold, and absolutely unstoppable.
But history has a pattern: Their contributions get overlooked, their breakthroughs downplayed, and their careers cut short.
The firsts: Historic trailblazers who changed the game
When we talk about the history of technology, women haven’t just been part of the story—they’ve written entire chapters. Long before diversity was a corporate buzzword, these women were breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and changing the game.
Before tech had rules, these women were out here rewriting them. They weren’t just ahead of their time—they defined it. And they didn’t just set records for women. They set records, period.
Let’s meet some of the women who did it first and did it best.
- Ada Lovelace: The world’s first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, envisioned the power of algorithms long before computers even existed. She wrote the first-ever machine-executable program for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine and predicted that computers could do more than just crunch numbers.
- Grace Hopper: This “Queen of Code” invented the first compiler in 1952, a program that translates human-readable code into machine code, revolutionizing programming. In fact, she also coined the terms “compiler” and “debugging” and championed accessible software development.
- Radia Perlman: She created the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), which is essential for network bridges and the functioning of the modern internet. She’s often called the “Mother of the Internet” for her contributions.
- Marian Croak: Marian Croak is a pioneer in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which powers services like Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp. Her work transformed how we communicate, making voice and video calls accessible and affordable worldwide.
- Margaret Hamilton: Considered the first software engineer, she was a computer scientist who coined the term. She led the team that developed the onboard flight software for NASA’s Apollo missions, including Apollo 11.
The women of today: Leaders in tech
And now the torch has been passed. The pioneers laid the groundwork, but today’s women are taking it to the stratosphere.
They’re shattering limits, rewriting the rules, and innovating faster than the world can keep up. From reshaping AI ethics to leading multi-billion-dollar tech giants, these women aren’t waiting for the future to happen—they’re making it happen!
Let’s meet the women who are setting the course for the future, and trust us, it’s a wild ride.
Women in AI:
Mira Murati: As the former CTO at OpenAI, Murati didn’t just sit at the table—she built it. She played a crucial role in creating ChatGPT and DALL-E, pushing the boundaries of AI and human-AI collaboration to places we never thought possible. Her work isn’t just about coding; she’s reshaping how we think about AI’s place in society.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini: Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Buolamwini is the one who called out the gender and racial bias in AI long before it was trendy. Her pioneering research has led to a global movement pushing for more ethical, inclusive AI. She’s not just questioning how AI is built—she’s demanding that we build it right from the start.
Women in cybersecurity:
Tanya Janca (SheHacksPurple): Founder of We Hack Purple, Janca is a cybersecurity force. As a security director, she’s dedicated her career to empowering developers with the knowledge to build secure software from the ground up. Janca’s mission goes beyond teaching—it’s about creating a community where security best practices are the foundation of every piece of code.
Caroline Wong: As a leading cybersecurity strategist, Wong has played a pivotal role in transforming how companies approach penetration testing and risk management. With over two decades of experience, she’s led teams to identify and defend against some of the world’s most sophisticated cyberthreats. Wong has written extensively about building secure infrastructures and is a vocal advocate for diversity in cybersecurity, pushing for more women and underrepresented groups to enter the field.
Women in engineering:
A. Lalitha: India’s first female electrical engineer, Lalitha broke through barriers that many thought impossible. In an era where women were rarely seen in technical fields, she not only earned her degree in electrical engineering but also became a trailblazer for women in STEM. Lalitha’s contributions to power grid development in India were crucial during the nation’s early years of industrialization. Her work helped lay the foundation for modern electrical infrastructure, providing reliable power to countless communities.
Gwynne Shotwell: As the President and COO of SpaceX, Shotwell has been instrumental in revolutionizing space travel. She played a key role in making reusable rockets a reality, overseeing the development of the Falcon and Starship programs and securing NASA contracts that made SpaceX the first private company to send astronauts to the International Space Station. Her leadership has helped reshape the future of space exploration, proving that engineering isn’t just about building machines—it’s about breaking boundaries and redefining what’s possible.
Women in data science:
Fei-Fei Li: A true pioneer in computer vision and ethical AI, Li has fundamentally shaped how machines perceive and understand the world. As a professor at Stanford, she headed the creation of ImageNet, a dataset that transformed the field of deep learning and is now a cornerstone of modern AI applications, including everything from facial recognition to self-driving cars. Beyond her technical expertise, Li is a fierce advocate for human-centered AI, fighting for a future where AI benefits everyone—not just the few.
Cynthia Dwork: A trailblazer in differential privacy, Cynthia Dwork’s research has made it possible to analyze sensitive data while still safeguarding individuals’ privacy. Her groundbreaking work has become a bedrock of data protection and has shaped the security standards for industries that handle vast amounts of personal information. Dwork’s innovations have allowed for safe, privacy-preserving data analysis, making it possible to unlock insights from big data without exposing the identity of individuals.
Women in tech leadership:
Lisa Su: As CEO of AMD, Su didn’t just lead the company—she redefined the semiconductor industry. Under her leadership, AMD surged to the forefront of high-performance computing and gaming chips, challenging industry giants like Intel and Nvidia. Su’s vision brought groundbreaking innovations in chip design, making AMD the go-to choice for everything from gaming consoles to data centers.
Monique Morrow: A tech innovator and digital inclusion advocate, Morrow has dedicated her career to ensuring that technology serves everyone—not just the privileged few. Leading initiatives in blockchain, cybersecurity, and ethical AI, Morrow has worked to make sure emerging technologies are built with inclusivity and accessibility at their core.
The way forward: A more inclusive future
Progress is happening, but we’re only scratching the surface.
The gender gap in tech isn’t going to close by itself—it’s going to take intentional, bold action to ensure women not only enter tech but thrive in it.
Here are the critical steps to accelerate progress:
- Advancing AI bias research: AI isn’t neutral. In fact, most AI systems inherit the biases of the humans who design them. To ensure fairness, we need comprehensive research that addresses racial, gender, and socioeconomic biases. Investing in ethical AI will level the playing field, allowing women to rise without being held back by technology designed with inherent inequalities.
- Increasing women-led startups: By increasing access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities for female entrepreneurs, we can create a new generation of women who not only build companies but reshape industries.
- Diversity in hiring and leadership: Companies must commit to equitable hiring practices, ensuring that women have an equal shot at leadership opportunities. Equity in leadership isn’t just about filling quotas—it’s about bringing diverse perspectives to the table, driving better decisions and more innovative solutions.
- STEM education investment: Women in STEM remain underrepresented, but it all starts with early exposure and investment in education. Scholarships, mentorships, and outreach programs tailored to young girls can spark a passion for STEM fields before stereotypes set in.
- More role models and visibility: Representation matters—you can’t be what you can’t see. Highlighting female tech leaders—from CTOs to start-up founders—will not only inspire the next generation but also normalize women in leadership roles. By amplifying the voices of women who have broken barriers, we can create a new culture of inclusivity where every young girl sees herself in the tech industry.
The momentum is building, and there is no turning back. We are just getting started.
Women have been driving innovation in tech from day one, and now, the world is finally waking up. As we dismantle the barriers and shatter the status quo, the future of tech is bold, diverse, and full of unstoppable potential.
The next chapter is ours to write, and it’s going to be legendary.
