Celebrating women’s contributions to technology with Starburst

In honor of Women’s History Month, Starburst is proud to recognize women pioneers in technology and data! Women have always been a large part of the story of technology, from its earliest days to today. 

Join us in looking at some of this history, celebrating it, and looking forward to the future. 

Women + technology: From Lovelace to Hopper

Starting with the foundational contributions of Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper who are essential for shaping the landscape of the tech world we know today. In the mid-1800s, Ada Lovelace envisioned a future where machines could process data to produce not just calculations but also creative outputs, an idea far ahead of its time. Fast forward to the mid-20th century, Grace Hopper’s pioneering work in programming languages—she developed the first compiler in 1952—transformed how we interact with computers. These early efforts by women highlight that diversity in technology is not a modern aspiration but a historical reality we are striving to expand as an industry.

Continuing the tradition: Girls Who Code

In recent years, women in tech have taken active roles in mentoring and empowering the next generation. Reshma Saujani, who founded Girls Who Code in 2012, has directly addressed the gender gap in technology by introducing over 500,000 girls to programming and technology through camps, after-school programs, and career mentorship. Her efforts exemplify how creating opportunities at an early age can break down barriers for women in tech, fostering both confidence and skills in young girls.

AI4ALL

Similarly, Dr. Fei-Fei Li, a leading figure in artificial intelligence since the 2000s, has used her platform as a Stanford professor and co-founder of AI4ALL to champion inclusion in AI education. By bringing AI training to students from underrepresented communities, Dr. Li is not only diversifying the talent pipeline but also ensuring that the future of AI reflects diverse perspectives, a necessity in a field that shapes our world.

Katherine Johnson and NASA

These modern efforts to mentor and inspire are built on the legacy of trailblazers like Katherine Johnson, whose calculations at NASA during the 1960s proved that brilliance could transcend gender and race in an era of systemic exclusion. Together, historical and contemporary figures illuminate a powerful narrative: diversity in technology is not merely about representation but about empowering women to lead, innovate, and mentor, creating an industry that thrives on the contributions of all.

Demo: Using Starburst to tell the story of women in technology 

You can use Starburst Galaxy to quickly analyze data and gather insights. Check out the video demo below where we’ll answer questions about the trajectory of women in technology over time.