Technology in the feminine
In 2018, the German brand Stabilo launched a campaign titled “Highlight the Remarkable,” which literally (in fluorescent yellow) highlighted women who made history but were forgotten, minimized, or whose accomplishments were credited to male counterparts:
Lise Meitner collaborated with Otto Hahn in the discovery of nuclear fission. Still, when Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944, Meitner was excluded due to her gender and Jewish background.
Edith Wilson assumed control of the U.S. government after her husband, President Woodrow Wilson, suffered a stroke in 1919 that left him incapacitated. Her role was largely overshadowed and underestimated at the time.
Phyllis Robinson was the first female copy chief at the DDB advertising agency and led iconic campaigns such as Volkswagen Beetle’s “Think Small.” Despite her talent, she faced significant workplace prejudice.
Tracy Edwards was the first woman to compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. Rejected by her male colleagues (who wanted her on board as a cook), she formed an all-female crew and finished second, achieving the best British result since 1977.
Florence Nightingale fought to earn respect for nursing as a profession in the 19th century, challenging the male-dominated medical field.
Bertha Benz completed the first long-distance automobile journey (106 km) in 1888 without her husband Karl’s permission. Despite proving the viability of the automobile and making her husband’s business a global success, her feat remains largely unknown.
Historically, women have been held back by their physical condition, often seen as weaker and relegated to the role of mothers and wives. This limited recognition of their intellectual and emotional contributions. More often than not, their only acknowledgment came from being connected to influential men, or from being religious intellectuals recognized by the Church, or political figures like princesses and queens. Those who didn’t fit these roles were often labeled as crazy, witches, or prostitutes, as we will see in this article.
Through highlighting these women, Stabilo’s campaign sought to rewrite history by ensuring that female perspectives, ideas, biographies[1], and achievements are equally valued – albeit sometimes belatedly. Exploring this “B-side” of history (a concept coined as “Herstory”[2], in contrast to “History”) reveals that, just as in other fields, technology has a parallel feminine history with many chapters yet to be uncovered by the public.
These women defied social norms, endured ridicule, and sometimes even cruel punishment, but left legacies that shaped industries across generations – century after century – clearing the path for the women who continue to innovate and lead in today’s tech world, particularly in IT, as exemplified by the reality at Quidgest.
CRISTINA MARINHAS
CEO at Quidgest
The potential of women in the tech field is immense but remains untapped
As the CEO of a tech company, I recognize that I am part of a minority of women in leadership positions in traditionally ‘male-dominated’ sectors. In the EU, only 8% of CEO roles are held by women; in Portugal, this figure drops to 6%. Women still face many barriers: prejudice, stereotypes, harassment, lack of encouragement in education, underrepresentation, pay disparities, greater family caregiving responsibilities, and female self-imposed standards. However, initiatives by companies committed to diversity, such as Quidgest—which promotes female inclusion through flexible work models, free training in software development and digital skills, and maintains a diverse workforce composed of 43% women—are some ways to overcome these barriers. The potential of women in the tech field is immense. Yet it remains unexplored, with generations of girls and women needing inspiration, motivation, and support. What are we doing—each of us, from our roles in our families, companies, communities, schools, and universities—to make this happen? It’s worth reflecting on this, not just during International Women’s Day, but every day.
PREHISTORY (2,5 million years ago – 3500 B.C.): FARMERS, WEAVERS, HEALERS, AND ARTISTS
Prehistory can be organized into periods spanning thousands of years and a wide range of cultures with different social structures. While specific documentation is scarce due to the absence of written records, archaeological and ethnographic evidence shows that women played key roles in communities and contributed to developing essential technologies in each era. They were responsible for gathering plants, roots, seeds, and knowledge that led to the advent of agriculture in the Neolithic period. Additionally, they mastered weaving and clothing production (using tools such as spindles and rudimentary looms) and were involved in pottery production, essential for storing and cooking food.
Women also possessed a profound knowledge of medicinal plants and community healing practices. They participated in the construction of shelters and contributed building techniques and materials. Archaeological studies suggest that women may have created some of the earliest cave art conveying cultural and spiritual traditions.
ELIZA TARZIA
Director of Marketing & Growth at BRIDGE IN e VP at 351 Portuguese Startup Association
The main professional challenge faced by women is ‘pink washing’
Many organizations pride themselves on having a diverse workforce, with women representing 50% or more of employees. However, true diversity goes beyond filling quotas. Often, women are underrepresented in leadership roles, predominantly occupying support positions. For diversity to be authentic, women must have significant representation at all hierarchical levels, especially in decision-making positions. As the co-founder and director of my creative agency, there have been numerous situations where potential clients would automatically direct the conversation to him upon entering a meeting with a male colleague, assuming he was the boss and I was merely an assistant. This mistaken assumption reflects the deeply ingrained gender stereotypes that still prevail, underestimating women’s capabilities and positions in the business environment.
As for women who deeply inspire me, I cannot identify just one, as there are countless extraordinary women in various fields. In business, Luisa Spagnoli (of Baci chocolates) stands out. In science, iconic figures such as Margherita Hack (astrophysicist) come to mind. In sports, athletes like Serena Williams in tennis and Megan Rapinoe in soccer are examples of excellence and activism. Lastly, Oriana Fallaci is noteworthy for her investigative journalism. These women demonstrate that barriers can be overcome and that the fight for equality is ongoing and essential.
ANTIQUE PERIOD (3000 B.C. – 476 A.D.): PHILOSOPHERS, ASTRONOMERS, POLITICIANS, AND MATHEMATICIANS
The Antique period is characterized by the rise of great urban civilizations such as the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Writing, which emerged around 3500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, enabled the recording of historical events, laws, literature, and technical advances, profoundly transforming society and allowing for the development of cultures with influences that persist today.
In Babylon, around 1200 B.C., society was structured by advanced laws and cultural practices. Women had some rights (such as owning property and receiving inheritances, like jewelry and money, for their financial independence), although they were still supervised by men (fathers, husbands, or sons). Domestic life was central to women, marriages were generally arranged, and their education focused on everyday tasks. However, some noble women managed to acquire knowledge in areas such as medicine and perfumery. Women could also serve as temple priestesses – a position of influence and respect within the community.
Tapputi-Belatekallim stood out as the royal court perfumer, using innovative ingredients, distillation, and filtration techniques to create fragrances based on flowers, oils, and herbs. Her pioneering work (conducted in the palace kitchen, which she transformed into a laboratory) established selection, standardization, and mass production processes that have been refined over time. Today, these processes are essential for manufacturing medicines, perfumes, cosmetics, and other components in various industries, including technology, ensuring quality, efficiency, and consistency in production.
Moving to Ancient Greece, we find a society where citizenship was exclusive to men. Only they could vote or hold public office. Women’s education was limited to domestic tasks and excluded from cultural life and political discussions. Imagine: women were forbidden from participating in or even attending the Olympic Games!
But it is during this period that we find Aspasia of Miletus. Originating from Miletus, an Ionian city with a more open culture (both boys and girls had the right to education), Aspasia stood out in 5th-century Athens as an educator and an active participant in philosophical and political discussions. Her relationship with Pericles gave her access to circles of power and intellectuals. She also ran a school of philosophy and rhetoric, where she taught and debated with figures like Socrates. Although she was the target of criticism and satire[3], often accused of using her beauty and intelligence to manipulate men because of her unusual role, Aspasia is remembered for her critical thinking. She advocated for women’s education, encouraging them to seek active participation in intellectual and political life—a mission that remains unfulfilled twenty-five centuries later.
Aglaonice, who lived in the 2nd century BC, became known as “the witch of Thessaly” for her ability to predict lunar eclipses with a precision that intrigued even the most learned scholars of her time. Although a priestess, she could only study astronomy because her father permitted it. She was one of the first women to apply scientific methods and mathematical principles to understand the universe, influencing future generations of scientists responsible for discoveries that are now applied in satellite navigation systems, weather forecasting, and space exploration.
In ancient Rome, Agrippina, mother of Emperor Nero, had significant influence during the 1st century AD. Although she was not an engineer, her position allowed her to sponsor and support various engineering and construction projects, as well as infrastructure and technological improvements essential for the development and quality of life in Rome (such as the Ostia Port, Aqua Claudia, and Anio Novus aqueducts, roads, and public buildings). Increasingly resentful of his mother’s influence, Nero orchestrated her assassination in 59 AD.
Fabiola was another woman considered technologically innovative within the context of medical care in 4th-century Rome. A Roman patrician, Fabiola decided to convert to Christianity after becoming widowed. She founded one of the first public hospitals in Rome (before this, the sick were treated at home or in healing temples). Curious about technologies, she adopted surgical instruments (such as scalpels, forceps, and cauterizing tools made of bronze and iron) and promoted new hygiene practices to prevent infections, including using medicinal plants in treatments. Canonized by the Catholic Church and “transformed” into Saint Fabiola, her work influenced medicine in medieval Europe.
In 4th-century Egypt, women lived in a transition society, marked by Roman influence and the growing presence of Christianity. Despite patriarchal restrictions, women played essential roles in religious and family life and could engage in weaving, crafts, and trade. This adaptability reflected a society in evolution, where women found ways to exercise their influence – an example of this was the famous “Temple of Isis,” which served as a cultural center where women could deepen their religious and cultural knowledge.
Here, Hypatia of Alexandria stood out as a philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician. Having access to knowledge through her father, the mathematician Theon, Hypatia defied social norms and dedicated herself to teaching algebra and geometry. She improved the astrolabe (an astronomical calculator) and the hydroscope (a device for measuring liquids) and surpassed many of the philosophers of her time. Her boldness (and the fact that she was pagan) cost her life at the hands of religious extremists. She was beaten, dismembered, and burned in a public square. However, her fight for intellectual freedom and continuous learning still resonates today in the struggle for equality in access to education and STEM professions (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
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FILIPA COSTA
Health and Science Consultant at Quidgest
Quidgest promotes inclusive environments and equal opportunities for all employees
The presence of women in technology brings diverse perspectives that foster innovation and creativity, resulting in more comprehensive and effective solutions. Stories of pioneers like Ada Lovelace illustrate how women have contributed to technological evolution over time. Moreover, gender diversity balances teams, enhances product usability, and creates healthier work environments. Companies like Quidgest promote inclusive environments and equal opportunities for employees alongside networking resources and personal-professional balance practices. From my perspective, everyone around us can be a source of inspiration. However, my grandmother is one of my greatest references. She lived in an era with high illiteracy rates, especially among women, who were commonly seen only as homemakers, but that did not define her. With great determination, she built a chain of bakeries and factories. Her courage and resilience are a daily example for me.
MIDDLE AGES (5th – 15th Century): RESEARCHERS, MEDICS, AND KNOWLEDGE SPREADERS
During the European Middle Ages, only noble or aristocratic women received education in music, embroidery, reading, or writing. Marriage was a political tool to strengthen alliances, while an alternative was a monastic life, providing safety and educational opportunities in areas like theology, music, and medicine. The reality for peasant women remained centered around domestic and agricultural work and taking care of the home and children. Marriage was essential for the economic survival of poorer women.
In the 12th century, Hildegarda of Bingen stood out as an extraordinary polymath. Having lived in a convent since the age of eight, she had access to education and mentorship that was unavailable to other women of her time. She was a composer and wrote treatises on medicine and botany – “Physica” and “Causae et Curae” documented animals, plants, properties, and therapeutic uses, organized systematically for easy reference. This meticulous approach to documentation was a precursor to the information management techniques we know today.
Trotula of Salerno, who lived in the 11th and 12th centuries, also pioneered women’s health. Influenced by her husband, she was among the few women studying at the Schola Medica Salernitana (the first secular university in Europe). She had access to medical knowledge that integrated Arabic, Greek, and Latin traditions and wrote groundbreaking treatises on gynecological and obstetric issues. The documentation left behind describes techniques and instruments for treating menstrual problems, cancer, and childbirth complications (use of speculums, opiates for pain relief, and new suturing techniques), as well as advanced diagnostic methods. Her pioneering work was often plagiarized and attributed to her husband. There was even a belief that Trotula never existed or could not have written such treatises because she was a woman.
On the other side of the world, in China, between the 7th and 8th centuries, Empress Wu Zetian promoted the development of woodblock printing. Under her reign, this technological revolution allowed for the large-scale reproduction of texts and democratized access to information. A notable example was the printing of the “Great Dharani Sutra,” which helped spread Buddhism – and calmed the intellectuals of the time, who viewed a woman’s rise to the throne as violating Confucian norms. In the 15th century, Gutenberg would repeat this achievement with the invention of movable type and the printing of the Bible on paper.
Today, the democratization of knowledge inspired by women like Empress Wu Zetian can be seen in educational programs, training and mentoring initiatives, workshops, and digital libraries that ensure women from various regions can learn without physical or financial barriers.
The Catholic Church had a profound influence that shaped perceptions of the medieval woman’s role, often viewed through the prism of biblical figures like Eve and Mary, opposites of temptation/evil or purity/good. This gender rigidity empowered figures like Joan of Arc, known as the Maid of Orléans, who challenged the expectations of her time. At 17, claiming to receive divine visions, she led the French army against the English during the Hundred Years’ War in the Battle of Orléans in 1429. Even though she was accepted and respected as a military commander, there was a high price to pay for her audacity: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, accused of heresy, witchcraft, and wearing men’s clothing[4], among other crimes of the time.
SÓNIA FERNANDES
Software Developer and Genio Trainer at Quidgest
The biggest challenge is to secure a place and inspire the next generations to maintain that place
The challenges women face are always different. Early in your career, there’s a sense of not being heard, and when you are, your opinion is often pushed to the background. The tasks you’re given tend to be less technical and more human-focused (speaking with clients, analysis, welcoming people). A woman also has to work more hours to ‘earn’ her place. After becoming a mother, the challenge grows, not only because you want to show everyone that ‘a woman and mother’ can have a career, but because you want to prove it to yourself. It’s at this point that you take on more tasks both at work and at home (education, caregiving, meal preparation). We must also remember our history—it’s not long ago that we started voting (in Portugal, 1931). So, the greatest challenge is to secure a place and inspire the next generations to maintain it. In the tech field, finding sources of inspiration is not difficult. Through my high school IT teacher, I learned about Jean Bartik, one of the six programmers of ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the first electronic digital computer, developed during World War II to calculate ballistic trajectories and assist the Allied forces. Her passion for technology, in a male-dominated environment where she was undervalued and forgotten (the names of the six programmers weren’t even mentioned during the ENIAC’s presentation in 1945), makes her a lasting example of resilience and overcoming challenges.
MODERN AGE (16th-18th Centuries): TRANSLATORS AND VISIONARIES
The onset of the Modern Age, marked by events like the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Enlightenment, promoted female literacy. On the one hand, the emphasis on knowledge and humanism led to the creation of academies and schools that accepted women, mainly from noble families, who were interested in arts, science, literature, and classical culture. Figures such as Isabella d’Este, a patron of the arts who financed Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, and Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi, emerged during this time.
The Lutheran and Calvinist movements also encouraged Bible reading, which led to increased literacy to ensure that all believers, including women, could read the Scriptures.
The Enlightenment and the French Revolution strengthened equality, liberty, and fraternity ideals. The “Encyclopédie,” edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert, was published, and the foundations for the feminist movement were laid through works like Olympe de Gouges’ Déclaration des Droits de la Femme et de la Citoyenne (1781) and Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792).
Despite these advancements, society remained predominantly patriarchal, and most women continued to work at home, in agriculture, in family businesses in cities, or as servants in wealthier households. The convent remained a refuge from marriage restrictions, offering some education and independence. Notable women of this period include the Mexican nun Juana Inés de la Cruz, who distinguished herself as a poet; Teresa of Ávila, in Spain, who wrote about spirituality and prayer; and Arcangela Tarabotti, in Italy, who fiercely criticized the practice of forcing women into convents in her work Paternal Tyranny, inspired by her own life story.
In the 18th century, Émilie du Châtelet, a French aristocrat, made significant contributions to physics and mathematics. Her romantic and intellectual relationship with Voltaire contributed to their academic advancements. She translated Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica from Latin to French and added commentary that helped disseminate Newton’s ideas across Europe, facilitating the understanding of the laws of motion and gravity. These laws are fundamental to fields such as structural engineering, software, and augmented and virtual reality applications, enabling innovations like airbags in cars and rocket trajectory simulations.
Nicole-Reine Lepaute, also influenced by these changing times, deepened her passion for technology, particularly through the precision needed in time measurement and astronomy. Married to a watchmaker, she developed skills that led her to participate in the construction of astronomical instruments and the development of accurate calculations about celestial body positions. She contributed to predicting the return of Halley’s Comet on April 13, 1759, though it arrived on March 13.
While France was a center of innovation during the Enlightenment and perhaps the most progressive country for women (legalized divorce for the first time in 1792), other regions also witnessed significant advances.
CATARINA FARINHA
AI Research Manager @ Unbabel Labs
More women are needed in leadership roles
Having women actively involved in technology brings several benefits, but I emphasize: the diversity of thought that contributes to greater innovation by bringing different perspectives and experiences; and an environment with more empathy and sensitivity. I strongly believe in the power of diversity. Unfortunately, the ratio between men and women in STEM fields is still unbalanced. Several initiatives are working to reduce this gap by encouraging girls to choose technological fields of study from an early age. Still, more women are needed in leadership roles and greater incentives for equal career progression (e.g., around pregnancy/maternity). I cannot highlight a particular woman, but I do highlight groups: Portuguese Women in Tech (led by Liliana Castro and Inês Santos Silva), my colleagues and friends in Portuguese Executive Women in Tech (Magda Cocco leads the group I’m in), and my friends in Data Science for Social Good Portugal.
CONTEMPORARY AGE (19th-21st Centuries): THE FIRST PROGRAMMER
During the 19th century, women lived under the norms of the Victorian era, which emphasized purity, domesticity, and submission. However, with the Industrial Revolution and the increasing demand for labor, many women began to work outside the home, particularly in textile industries, mines, and factories. The conditions were unhealthy, precarious, and dangerous, often exacerbated by the fashion of the time, which included long skirts and corsets that could easily become entangled in machinery and catch fire.
Feminist movements began to emerge, advocating women’s right to vote, education, and better working conditions. Several strikes and uprisings, such as the New York Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1857, eventually led to celebrating May 1st as International Workers’ Day. A notable event in this period was in 1867, when Nestlé commercially introduced powdered milk for mothers unable to breastfeed their children. Such inventions helped address infant mortality and allowed mothers to spend more time outside the home, securing financial independence and a more active role in society.
Ada Lovelace is often considered the first programmer in history. The daughter of mathematician Annabella Milbanke and poet Lord Byron, she received mentorship from Charles Babbage, the creator of the Analytical Engine[5] – The first model of a programmable computer, which its creator never saw fully built due to the technological limitations of the time. The machine was steam-powered, operated using punched cards for data input and instructions, and included a central processing unit and expandable memory – features that remain integral to modern computers.
Ada Lovelace not only understood the complex design of the Analytical Engine, but she also wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by the machine. She envisioned a future where such machines could perform any command or action expressed through logic, symbols, and numbers, going beyond mere calculation. Lovelace believed that machines could create music and art, perform complex tasks, process large amounts of data, and learn patterns—anticipating many fundamental concepts of computing and Artificial Intelligence. Intriguingly, Lovelace remains a secondary figure despite the many recognized “fathers” of Artificial Intelligence (Alan Turing, John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Allen Newell, Herbert A. Simon). This is particularly notable because it was Lovelace’s notes on the Analytical Engine that Alan Turing drew upon for inspiration in his work developing the world’s first programmable digital computers.
SABRINA RODRIGUEZ
Software Engineer at Quidgest
Women bring essential skills to the tech industry
The tech sector has traditionally had a strong male presence, but throughout history, we’ve seen women like Hedy Lamarr who developed the foundations of essential technologies (such as Wi-Fi). While the presence of women has increased, many still doubt their abilities, which intensifies work pressure and perfectionist behaviors. The lack of women in leadership roles also reduces role models for young women. However, the industry offers advantages, such as work flexibility, which helps balance personal and professional responsibilities. Companies like Quidgest promote training opportunities, professional development, and diversity and inclusion policies that create a more equitable and respectful work environment. An inspiration? My mother! Despite always being ill and raising me on her own, she always knew how to face difficulties. She taught me that limitations are self-imposed and that I can achieve anything if I set my mind to something and focus on it. I just need to trust myself.
CRIPTOGRAPHERS, INVENTORS AND SPACE ENGINEERS
At the turn of the 19th to 20th century – following the invention of the telephone in 1876 and the typewriter in 1868 – women began to have more exposure to new technologies. They became telephone operators, telegraph operators, typists, and stenographers, contributing to the expansion of information services and laying the groundwork for their involvement in the World Wars, where they took on technical and engineering roles (traditionally male-dominated) in munitions factories, shipyards, aviation, public transport, communications, and other essential industries.
Joan Clarke was one of the most brilliant cryptographers of her time. At Bletchley Park, the UK’s secret code-breaking center, Joan helped decipher the Enigma machine codes used by the Nazis during World War II. Despite facing gender discrimination and being frequently underestimated by her male colleagues, she found a man who recognized her talent and included her in the most important discussions: Alan Turing. One of Clarke’s most emotional moments was when she helped decrypt a message that revealed the plans of Operation Nordlicht (a planned Nazi attack on the Soviet Union in 1942). This discovery allowed the Allies to defeat the enemy and change the war’s course. Today, cryptography techniques like those developed by Clarke are foundational to information security in communications, financial transactions, and military defense.
The wars also drove changes in women’s fashion and lifestyle, with more practical clothing (the end of corsets and long skirts, Coco Chanel popularized pants for women) and shorter hairstyles (starting in the 1920s with the “bob” style). With the need for rationing, canned and frozen foods became popular, especially in the following decades, when women began making up a large portion of the workforce and needed quick and practical solutions for family meals. In 1942, “Rosie the Riveter” became a cultural icon and symbol of all the women who rolled up their sleeves – transforming the necessity for labor in their countries’ war efforts into a historic opportunity that opened the door to emancipation never experienced.
Immortalized for her beauty in Hollywood[6], Hedy Lamarr was not only an actress but also a brilliant inventor in the field of military communications, influenced largely by her first husband, a munitions and weapons manufacturer. Being Jewish, she fled Austria (and her controlling husband) to the United States, where she pursued acting and collaborated with composer George Antheil to develop a technology called “frequency hopping.” This innovation allowed radio signals to “hop” between different frequencies, thus avoiding detection and confusing Nazi radars and torpedoes during World War II. Although it was patented in 1942, the National Inventors Council rejected the idea because it came from a woman – the technology wasn’t utilized until 1962, when military forces used it during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Lamarr’s invention laid the groundwork for modern technologies such as Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and mobile phones.
During World War II, Grace Hopper was an admiral in the U.S. Navy and worked as a programmer on the Harvard Mark I, one of the first modern computers. Her most famous contribution was the development of the first programming language compiler, a tool that translates high-level language into commands a computer can execute. This breakthrough led to the creation of COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), an essential language for business data processing that is still in use today. Hopper, a technology pioneer, is also credited with popularizing the term “bug” for software errors. In 1947, while working on the Harvard Mark II, her team encountered a technical issue caused by a moth trapped in the computer’s circuits. The insect was removed and taped into the lab’s logbook with the note: “First actual case of bug being found.”
Mary Kenneth Keller was another significant woman in 20th-century technology. In 1965, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in computer science, with a thesis on “Inductive Inference on Computer-Generated Patterns.” Keller also contributed to developing the BASIC programming language (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), designed to make programming accessible, especially for students or those without advanced backgrounds in computer science or mathematics. A member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she dedicated her life to education, founding the computer science department at what is now Clarke University, where she taught physics and math, promoted technological literacy, and encouraged women to enter the tech field.
In the 1960s, Mary Wilkes made history by using the LINC (Laboratory Instrument Computer) at home, becoming the first person to operate a computer domestically. Her pioneering use set the stage for personal computing, inspiring future generations to envision a world with technology accessible anywhere.
During the Space Race, women played pivotal roles in technological advancements. Dorothy Vaughan became NASA’s first African-American supervisor, and Mary Jackson was the first Black female engineer at NASA, where she also championed career advancement for women and minorities. Katherine Johnson contributed essential trajectory calculations (done by hand!) for the Mercury and Apollo missions, which included John Glenn’s orbit and the 1969 Moon landing. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2015. Johnson’s story was later popularized in the 2016 film Hidden Figures.
On the Soviet side, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963, inspiring future generations and encouraging policies for women’s inclusion in space sciences and technology.
Throughout the 20th century, women worldwide fought for equality, including voting rights, equal pay, educational opportunities, and reproductive control. The introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1960 marked a milestone in the sexual revolution and the women’s rights movement, and the birth of the first “test-tube baby” in the UK in 1978 showed how in vitro fertilization could give women new ways to manage motherhood.
In civil rights, Argentina’s Evita Perón used her role as First Lady to champion social reforms and secure women’s right to vote in 1947. In the U.S., Rosa Parks became an icon of the civil rights movement by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955. During Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, Winnie Mandela continued the anti-Apartheid fight in South Africa. Influential political figures, like Indira Gandhi in India, also emerged during this period. In 1978, the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrined gender equality as a fundamental right.
The 1970s continued to be a time of innovation, particularly in the video game industry, where Carol Shaw became one of the first women to make a mark in this field. While working at Atari, she programmed 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe, released in 1978. In 1982, after moving to Activision, Shaw launched River Raid, which was a commercial hit. Unlike most games of that era with fixed screens, River Raid introduced a vertically moving airplane that navigated a continuous river, shooting enemies and avoiding obstacles. This innovative design created a more dynamic and engaging gaming experience, inspiring more women to enter the industry. Following her path, influential women like Roberta Williams (King’s Quest), Brenda Romero (Wizardry), Kim Swift (Portal), and Jade Raymond (Assassin’s Creed) also contributed to game development, expanding the impact of women in gaming.
Elizabeth “Jake” Feinler stands out in the history of the Internet. From 1972 to 1989, she led the Network Information Center (NIC) at the Stanford Research Institute in California. NIC was among the first entities to provide resources and directories for ARPANET, the forerunner of the modern Internet. It was responsible for publishing network resources and directories (organized into white and yellow pages), effectively a rudimentary version of today’s search engines. Feinler also pioneered our domain naming system for Internet navigation today (.com, .edu, .gov, .net, and others).
In the 1980s, the world witnessed significant technological and social transformations. The advent of personal computers and the expansion of the Internet paved the way for current technological revolutions. These changes unfolded in a global context of political and social tensions, culminating in the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the end of the Cold War. At the same time, movements emerged that challenged traditional feminist definitions, demanding representation for women from other underrepresented minority groups (economic, racial, age, gender orientation, etc.) in society.
This was also the era of Radia Perlman. The programmer and engineer, currently with Dell EMC, became renowned for her contributions to transforming computer network infrastructure. In 1985, she developed the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), an essential algorithm that enables efficient local area networks (LANs). This protocol established the basic rules of Internet traffic, ensuring smooth data transmission—a legacy that endures today.
SARA ALMEIDA
HR Business Consultant & Project Manager at Quidgest
The organizational culture at Quidgest is very inclusive and facilitates the integration of all the women working here
The organizational culture at Quidgest is very inclusive and facilitates the integration of all women working here. Unfortunately, I know this is not the reality for all women, and many suffer or have suffered some kind of prejudice that questioned their abilities. Many are hindered in accessing growth opportunities or suffer from salary inequality. My advice is: believe in your abilities and remain resilient in the face of challenges. If you find yourself in a position where you can influence organizational culture, develop actions to promote inclusion and diversity, and create support groups. As for inspiring women, I have many. But here, I would like to highlight Reshma Saujani, who founded ‘Girls Who Code’ in 2012, aiming to close the gender gap in the tech field. She is particularly inspiring for her courage and vision in creating opportunities and support so that women can discover and pursue their dreams in tech from an early age. Her example shows how it is possible to create a positive social impact with dedication and passion for what you do.
ENTREPRENEURS, ACTIVISTS, PHILANTHROPISTS, AND CEOS
In the 21st century, the world continues to see technological advancements, social changes, and a growing fight for gender equality. The new millennium brought the “dot-com bubble,” which, despite bursting, accelerated digital transformation. Female entrepreneurship has gained prominence, with more women becoming CEOs, founders, and leaders across various business fields.
Kimberly Bryant grew up in Memphis, Tennessee (USA) and faced challenges as a Black woman in a predominantly male, white field in electrical engineering. Determined to make tech more inclusive, she was inspired after seeing her daughter as one of the few Black girls at a coding summer camp. Bryant recognized the lack of resources and representation for young girls interested in tech and founded Black Girls CODE in 2011. This nonprofit provides coding and robotics education to girls aged 7 to 17. One of its graduates, Kyla Guru, has since become a tech leader, founding the nonprofit Bits N’ Bytes Cybersecurity, which educates young people about cybersecurity.
Movements like #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and #TimesUp have highlighted and fought against sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and gender inequality. Amplified by social media, these movements have given millions of women a voice, created a collective consciousness, and pushed for new policies and legislation. In 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Goals set “Gender Equality” as one of the objectives to be met by 2030, reinforcing the global commitment to eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls and women, promoting their full and effective participation at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
Generative AI and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini are today’s driving technological forces, with women playing fundamental roles in their development and application. Fei-Fei Li is one of these figures. Emigrating from China to the U.S. at 16, she overcame cultural and language barriers, studied physics at Princeton University, and earned her Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Caltech. In 2009, as director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab, she developed ImageNet—a database critical for advancing intelligent systems capable of interpreting and understanding images. These computational advances have led to technologies such as facial recognition, smartphone unlocking, security and surveillance systems, and virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, which, beyond visual commands, understand context and environment to perform daily tasks (sending messages, setting reminders, and controlling smart home devices).
Did you know that Susan Wojcicki was the person who rented her garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, where Google was founded? Interestingly, Susan became one of Google’s first employees (No. 16) and is known for leading the team that oversaw YouTube’s acquisition in 2006. Under her leadership, YouTube became the world’s largest video platform. In 2023, Susan Wojcicki left YouTube but remains an influential figure in tech. She was a consultant for Alphabet (which oversees Google and YouTube) and is dedicated to inclusion and diversity causes in the industry.
Melinda Gates earned computer science and economics degrees at Duke University, becoming one of Microsoft’s early female employees in 1987. Though widely known for her marriage to Bill Gates, Melinda made a name for herself at Microsoft through her user-focused software development perspective. As a product manager, she worked on projects like Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Encarta, and Expedia. Today, Melinda Gates is celebrated for her philanthropic work. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest private foundations globally, focuses on global health, education, technology access, and women’s empowerment. In 2015, Melinda also founded Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation firm focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and advancing equal opportunity.
Ursula Burns was born in a New York City housing project and faced socio-economic challenges early on. Determined, she earned a degree in mechanical engineering and joined Xerox as a summer intern in 1980. Against all odds, Burns rose through the corporate ranks and 2009 made history as Xerox’s CEO and the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Throughout her career, she played a critical role in transforming and modernizing the company – Xerox diversified beyond selling printers, shifting focus to business services and document management technologies. Burns also oversaw the acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) in 2010, a strategic move that expanded Xerox’s business process outsourcing and digital document management capabilities. This acquisition helped Xerox adapt to the digital age and kept the company competitive in the market.
LILIANA CASTRO
CEO of FES Agency and Cofundadora of Portuguese Women in Tech
It is essential to implement diversity and inclusion policies, promote successful female role models, support education and mentoring initiatives, and create work environments that value and respect everyone’s contributions
Airbags were, for many years, designed based on safety data that used exclusively male models. This resulted in more severe injuries for women and children. When women engineers and scientists contributed to their development, airbags became safer. More women working in technology is a matter of justice and equality and strategically relevant for innovation. In 2019, in partnership with Deloitte, Portuguese Women in Tech launched the first study in Portugal that extensively analyzed the reality of women working in technology. These women face a series of challenges that hinder their progression and success: gender stereotypes, lack of representation, salary inequality, lack of support and work flexibility, among others. To address such challenges, it is essential to implement diversity and inclusion policies, promote successful female role models, support education and mentoring initiatives, and create work environments that value and respect everyone’s contribution. A woman who I consider a great source of inspiration is Ada Lovelace, who was recognized as the first computer programmer. Stepping out of technology, I cannot fail to mention Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. And in the national context, women like Ticha Penicheiro (the first Portuguese woman in the WNBA, the world’s largest basketball league); Rita Piçarra (former CFO of Microsoft Portugal, who retired at 44); and, of course, Cristina Fonseca, who co-founded one of the largest national tech companies, Talkdesk.
THE ONES WHO CAN BE WHATEVER THEY WANT (CAN THEY?)
In recent years, the world has progressed at varying paces. In 2018, Saudi Arabia allowed women to drive – a milestone in the country’s struggle for women’s rights. Iran permitted women to attend stadium soccer games the following year, ending a decades-long ban. In contrast, in 2021, the Taliban in Afghanistan revoked many of the few freedoms gained by women, including access to secondary and higher education, the right to work outside the home and even representation in government. Meanwhile, in 2024, France became the first country to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution, showcasing a progressive commitment to women’s health and reproductive rights.
However, no right is ever fully guaranteed. Totalitarian and oppressive regimes are on the rise, and laws protecting women’s rights can be easily repealed (for instance, the partial decriminalization of domestic violence in Russia in 2017, or the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which removed abortion rights established in 1973 in the U.S.).
Even in so-called advanced countries, the struggle continues daily. Western narratives glorify historical, literary, social, and cultural figures like kings, explorers, colonizers, popes, brave soldiers, and male heads of state. The famous Barbie slogan, “You can be anything,” is still not a reality for all. Watching a women’s soccer match on TV can be met with ridicule. Female candidates for public office face scrutiny and easy jokes about their appearance. Women-led startups continue to receive less funding and investment. Only one in three STEM graduates is a woman. Women’s representation in tech companies is a mere 37% (McKinsey). Since its inception in 1901, the Nobel Prize has been awarded to 989 individuals, of whom only 65 (6.57%) have been women.
As a woman, wife, and mother, and even though I live in a country where just 50 years ago women could not travel, work, or open a bank account without their husband’s permission, I consider myself fortunate. Today, I am part of a political and economic union of 27 countries that works daily to uphold women’s rights.
In the end, my thanks go to all of them—to all the women who, since the dawn of humanity, have paved the way, allowing me to study, choose a career, think freely, and write this article while sitting at a table in a tech company surrounded by many other women—designers, software developers, business consultants, researchers, and even CEOs. To them, I say thank you.
REFERÊNCIAS BIBLIOGRÁFICAS
[1] Only 15% of Wikipedia’s volunteer editors are women, and less than one-fifth of the content is dedicated to female biographies. Initiatives like Wikiesfera (Spain), Whose Knowledge? (USA), WikiDonne (Italy), and Les Sans Pages (Switzerland) are working to make women more visible on Wikipedia.
[2] The Herstory movement emerged in the feminist context during the 1960s-70s. The alteration of the word “history” is a critique of historiography, which has traditionally been written as “his story,” meaning from a male perspective. Robin Morgan, an American political activist, was one of the first to use the term in the book “Sisterhood is Powerful: An Anthology of Writings from the Women’s Liberation Movement”, published in 1970.
[3] Aspasia was often referred to as a “hetaira.” Hetairas were women of education and high status who accompanied influential men to social events.
[4] Throughout history, many women had to disguise themselves as men or adopt male pseudonyms in order to pursue professions that were otherwise inaccessible to them. Even in the 19th century, Margaret Ann Bulkley had to pose as Dr. James Barry to study medicine and serve as a surgeon in the British Army. Similarly, Mary Ann Evans wrote under the male pseudonym George Eliot to be taken seriously in literature.
[5] Babbage was extremely frustrated with the frequent errors that appeared in logarithm tables, which were used in navigation and engineering. During a meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society, he even remarked, “I wish these calculations could be done by steam!” This irritation led him to design the Difference Engine, the predecessor of the Analytical Engine, to automate calculations, save time, and eliminate human errors. Some parts of the Analytical Engine are displayed at the Science Museum in London.
[6] The first woman to win an Oscar at the inaugural ceremony held in 1929 was Janet Gaynor. She received the award for Best Actress for her roles in three different films: Seventh Heaven, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, and Street Angel.
