Feminist.

Advocate.

Computer Scientist.

Dr. Anita Borg was an American computer scientist. She was an advocate for increasing the presence of women in the technology industry. She founded Systers, Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, and the Institute for Women and Technology. She died of brain cancer in 2003.

Systers:

Founded in 1987, Systers is an electronic mailing list for women in the computing field. It has had more than 2,500 members from 38 countries. One example of Systers' societal impact was when Matthel released the "Teen Talk Barbie" in 1992. “Math class is tough” was one of the 270 programmed phrases. Systers helped get Mattel to remove that stereotypical, sexist phrase.

Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing:

Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is a computer science conference to highlight the work of underrepresented women. This conference also advocated for policies to welcome more women into the science and technology field.

Institute for Women and Technology:

Created in 1997, the Institute for Women and Technology is a non profit organization to encourage women to enter the technology industry. The organization focuses on increasing women’s impact in the technology field. It also focuses on creating technologies directed towards women. In 2003, it was renamed the Anita Borg Institute in 2003, which is still around to this day.

Some Awards Received:

Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (1995)
Augusta Ada Lovelace Award from the Association for Computing Machinery (1995)
A fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (1996)
Inducted into the Women in technology International Hall of Fame (1998)
Bill Clinton appointed her to the Presidential Commision on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology.(1999)
Girl Scouts of America, Juliet Gordon Low Award (2000)
Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment (2002)

Citations:

Hall, Mark. "Digital Equipment Corporation". Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Jul. 2015, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Digital-Equipment-Corporation. Accessed 12 April 2022.

“Anita Borg: A Voice for Women in Programming.” Flatiron School, 15 Jan. 2016, https://flatironschool.com/blog/code-history-lesson-anita-borg/.

Anita Borg, 54, Trailblazer for Women in Computer Field ... https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/10/us/anita-borg-54-trailblazer-for-women-in-computer-field.html.

“Global Organization for Women Technologists.” AnitaB.org, 5 Apr. 2022, https://anitaborg.org/.

Technology For You, et al. “Dr. Anita Borg Helped Women See Themselves as Active Participants in the Realm Technology.” Technology For You, 19 Apr. 2018, https://www.technologyforyou.org/dr-anita-borg-helped-women-see-themselves-as-active-participants-in-the-realm-technology/.