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Celebrating Women’s History Month in 2018

Happy Women’s History Month. Here are some incredible women who have changed the shape of computing and the internet itself.

The contribution of women in all aspects of society, from politics to the arts to science and even to women in digital, is often overlooked or undervalued. March is Women’s History Month, an extension of International Women’s Day that pays special homage to the trailblazing women throughout the world who have changed the world over the years. The first Women’s History Month was celebrated in Australia in 2000.

The history of Women’s History Month

While International Women’s Day has been an institution for almost 100 years, Women’s History Month is relatively new. Historian Gerda Lerner hosted a fifteen-day long women’s history conference in 1979 and from there Women’s History Week was settled upon by universities and the Smithsonian Institute as an ongoing opportunity to discuss the historical role of women in society. The idea proliferated through schools and the rest of the country until 1987 when United States Congress declared that it would designate the entire month of March for the concept.

This celebration is observed in the United States, Canada in Australia through March every year and has unique themes in each region. For 2018, the American Women’s History Month is titled Nevertheless, She Persisted: Honouring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination against Women. A recurring theme throughout all years, however, is the continuing need to educate and inspire current and future generations about the vital role women have played through time.

Women in digital

Women in digital have a long and proud history. Consider the world’s first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, who designed the frameworks for software development we still use today. There is also Margaret Hamilton, who developed the on-board flight software that ran the Apollo space program. One of the first ever patents for software development was awarded to Dr Erna Schneider Hoover for her pioneering work in developing phone switch systems, a fundamental cornerstone of modern day networking.

The very web itself would look markedly different without the work of Elizabeth Feinler, who spearheaded the development of the top-level internet domain names such as .com, .mil and .net. Modern day dating apps owe their existence to Joan Ball, the creator of the world’s first computer-aided dating service in 1964. As you can see, digital women have made their mark all through history and this is set to continue into the future.

A typical digital marketing agency will have many women in management, development, and design positions, and iFactory is no exception. Contact us today to find out what we can do for your digital strategy.

Check out our Pinterest board Women in Technology to learn more.

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