Thursday, October 6, 2011

Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day & Women in Technology

The objective for October 7th was to write about a woman -- scientist, technologist, engineer, or mathematician -- who inspired you as a way to celebrate the presence of women in technological pursuits.

But I don't have a female tech (s)hero. I grew up in a pretty small town, and the only women I was exposed to then were teachers. And it wasn't until middle and high school that any of them even specialized in science or math. And then they were more focused on education rather than the science itself.

So I'm going to do something different. (I rarely do as I'm told anyway.) Instead, I'm going to tell you about the woman who nurtured my own innate interest in technology: my mom.

My mother gave me my first computer, a TRS-80, along with several Creative Computing BASIC programming books for Christmas when I was in fifth grade. It may not seem like much, but these gifts were the foundation for the problem solving and coding skills that I use today.

But I still can't find that wumpus...

So if your daughter is a little geeky and into techy stuff that you don't understand, it's ok. You should still support her in those interests. And maybe, one day she'll look back and call you her hero for supporting women in technology.


This public service announcement will now self destruct...

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