The Legacy of Inspiring Women that Shaped Technology Today

Published on: March 5, 2025 | 5 minute read | by Krisa Cortez

Women have played a role in shaping the field of technology throughout history. From the earliest days of computing to the rise of artificial intelligence. There are inspiring women who have broken barriers and pioneered innovations that continue to impact our digital world to this day. Thus it is only fitting, as we celebrate Women's History Month this March, that these trailblazers be acknowledged. We will take a look at how these women's achievements have paved the way for future generations and proved that the technological field also benefitted from a woman’s touch. This article highlights some of the most influential women in technology and their groundbreaking contributions.

Pioneers of Computing

1815–1852:
One of the earliest and most significant figures in computing was Ada Lovelace. She was known as the world’s first computer programmer who envisioned how Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine could process complex calculations. Her work laid out the foundation for modern computing.
1906–1992:
Another key figure in early computing was Grace Hopper. She was a computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral who developed the first compiler that made programming languages more accessible. Her work led to the development of COBOL, one of the first widely used high-level programming languages.
1924–2011:
Jean Bartik was instrumental in programming the ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer. She helped transition computing from manual calculations to automated processes along with her team and revolutionized the industry for the better.

Women in Space and Cybersecurity

Toei Animation (Japan):
if you've seen Dragon Ball Z or One Piece, then you have more likely encountered the brand. It is one of the oldest animation studios in Japan founded in 1948. It is also the most influential, becoming known for producing many successful anime titles internationally.
Studio Ghibli (Japan):
beautiful visual design elements and powerful storytelling. These are the trademarks of this amazing studio co-founded by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki. Their titles such as Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro are beloved internationally. Their movie Spirited Away even won awards.
MAPPA Studio (Japan):
quickly rose to prominence with popular anime series like Yuri!!! On Ice and Banana Fish as well as Jujutsu Kaisen. It was founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama. MAPPA has then also taken over the final season of Attack on Titan to show the studio’s capability to handle high-profile projects with compelling visual effects.
Sunrise (Japan):
this animation studio contributed to the mecha-anime genre. They have produced iconic series such as the Gundam franchise. The studio has also worked on other well-regarded series like Cowboy Bebop and Outlaw Star. The studio has shown versatility since its establishment in 1972.

The Technology Used in Asian Animation Studios

1918–2020:
Inspiring women like Katherine Johnson are at the forefront in the field of space exploration. She was a NASA mathematician whose calculations allowed for successful astronaut missions into space and ensured their safe return.
1958– :
Shafi Goldwasser has made significant contributions in cybersecurity through her work in cryptography. Her research on encryption has helped strengthen digital security and shape the way data is protected online.

Modern-Day Innovators

1951– :
Radia Perlman is often referred to as the “Mother of the Internet.” She developed the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), which is essential for network routing and internet functionality.
1976– :
Among female tech leaders, Fei-Fei Li has been a pioneer in computer vision and machine learning in the field of artificial intelligence. Her work on a large-scale visual database called ImageNet has advanced AI applications and led to new innovations that revolutionized how machines interpret images.
1975– :
"Girls Who Code" organization founder Reshma Saujani's mission is to close the gender gap in technology by encouraging young women to pursue careers in computer science.

Ongoing Challenges in Technology that Remain

Gender inequality remains a large concern despite the significant contributions of women in modern computing. Studies show that women make up only 28% of the tech workforce. These are lesser numbers in executive roles.

One of the biggest obstacles is the gender pay gap. Women in STEM fields are still earning 17% less than their male counterparts on average, with only 2.3% of venture capital funding going to female-led startups, limiting opportunities for innovation.

Thankfully, we have organizations like Girls Who Code and AnitaB.org working to bridge this gap. Organizations like these provide opportunities such as mentoring and training to encourage other inspiring women to pursue careers in STEM.

The Future for Women in Technology

Technology will only continue to evolve. As this happens, the role of women in shaping the industry will only expand. Growing initiatives continue to encourage diversity in STEM fields as we see more modern women entering careers in software development and artificial intelligence. We also see this sort of movement in cybersecurity and quantum computing. The rise of women-led startups and organizations is breaking down barriers and even leading to increased representation in leadership roles as advancements in fields like biotechnology, robotics, and space exploration increase. This provides new opportunities for other inspiring women to make groundbreaking contributions. The push for equal access to education andmentorship programs likewise ensures that future generations of women will have the tools to innovate and lead in the technological landscape.

Our View

We at Unix Surplus acknowledge the role of these inspiring women and the contributions they made since the early days of computing to the age of artificial intelligence. These contributions have driven innovation, making computing more accessible, secure, and efficient. While we do know that challenges remain, the growing recognition of women in tech is fostering a more inclusive industry. By celebrating their achievements and inspiring future generations this Women’s History Month, we can ensure that technology continues to gain from diverse perspectives and talents. The future of innovation is brighter when everyone has a seat at the table.