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On this last day of Black History Month and as a prelude to March being Women's History Month, I wanted to share some epic women contributors to our field. Some of these women are widely known, others are less known. Some contributed to computing or math and not directly cybersecurity, but where would cybersecurity be without computing and math? So, let's take a brief stroll down memory lane and give a nod to Melba Roy Mouton, Gladys West, Marsha Rhea Williams, Evelyn Boyd Granville, and Marian Croak. This is far from a complete list of women pioneers in our industry, but I hope it serves as a jumping off point. I believe each and every one of these women made their mark, and as one of my favorite poets, Maya Angelou, said, “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.”
Who tracked satellites orbiting the Earth?
Melba Roy Mouton was a mathematician and computer programmer in NASA’s Trajectory and Geodynamics Division, acting as the Assistant Chief of Research Programs. Mouton worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, coding computer programs to calculate the trajectories and locations of various aircraft. She also led the group of "human computers," who tracked the Echo satellites. Roy and her team's computations helped produce the orbital element timetables by which millions could view the satellite from Earth as it passed overhead.
Who's work helps us find our way?
Gladys Mae West is an American mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018.
Who improved search functions in databases?
In 1982, Dr. Marsha Rhea Williams became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science. A successful educator and researcher in academia, Williams has also held positions in private industry and the public sector. Her scholarship examines a variety of topics, ranging from the improvement of search functions in computer databases to the existence of information technology resources in developing countries. She has devoted significant energy and expertise to the issue of expanding access to the fields of science, engineering, and technology for underrepresented communities.
Who wrote programs for the first mass-produced computers?
Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville is the second African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics, which she completed at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut in 1949. She also earned a double Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Physics in only one year at Yale. Dr. Granville’s undergraduate degree is from Smith College. After completing her PhD, Granville worked on a litany of landmark mathematical and astronomical projects. She worked on the first mass-produced computer in the world at IBM; on Project Vanguard, which aimed to launch the first artificial satellite into orbit; Project Mercury, which intended to send the first humans into space; and Project Apollo, which attempted to land the first humans on the moon.
Who advocated for cutting the cord?
Marian Croak is a Vice President of Engineering at Google. She has previously served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development at AT&T, where she worked on advancing voice over IP technologies, furthering the capabilities of audio and video conferencing. She joined AT&T at Bell Labs in 1982. She advocated for switching from wired phone technology to internet protocol.
Thanks for exploring these amazing women with me. I hope it encourages you to start your own investigations into those who helped shape our cybersecurity world of today. Cheers!
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