Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Beyonce & Jay-Z Aim To Trademark Blue Ivy Carter
How A Smartphone App Could Help People With Depression
Happy 100th birthday, Admiral Grace
Filed under: Work Life, In The News, That's Entertainment
It's hard, sometimes, to find positive role models for girls. They're faced with examples like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Even in the business world, they're far more likely to hear about Carly Fiorina (boo! hiss!) than they are about Meg Whitman or Donna Dubinsky. Well, it's about time that changed. I've got an incredible role model for you.Chances are, you're reading this on a computer. Did you know that you wouldn't have a computer were it not for a woman? Admiral Grace Hopper was an early computer pioneer whose ideas led to the COBOL programming language. COBOL stands for COmmon Business-Oriented Language and it can be argued (and is by me) that by making computers accessible to businesses, there was a reason for companies to put money into research and the development of the personal computer.
Of course, Admiral Grace wasn't all business. She is most often credited with the saying "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission," a motto I follow. She is also credited with the term "computer bug", having found an actual moth caught in a relay in a Mark II computer at Harvard University.
There are plenty of books about Grace Hopper, including quite a few intended for younger children. Grace Hopper passed away in January, 1992, but if she were still alive, she would have turned 100 last Saturday. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't realize that until after the fact. Still, better late than never. Here's to an amazing woman and a fantastic role model!
YourVoice
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
RelatedVideos
-
How to Switch Baby Formula Brands Safely
Is it safe to constantly switch brands of baby formula? Dr. Jim Sears answers your question.
-
How to Find Balance as a Mother
Founder of Inspiring Moms, Amy Hilbrich offers a solution to the very common question: how to find balance in the life of a mother? She talks about ways to prioritize and to create your own "balance map".
-
How to Get Your Teen to Spend Less Time on Facebook
Susan Stiffelman gives parents some great tips on how to get their teen to spend less time on the social network site, facebook.
-
When to Start Baby on Regular Milk
Confused about when to start your baby on regular milk? Get the scoop from The Bump on the right time to make the switch.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
12-13-2006 @ 8:48AM
Lea said...How cool. I'm going to remember to tell Baby A about Admiral Grace when she's a little older. You're right--the good role models are few.
- L
Reply
12-13-2006 @ 10:30AM
Trisha said...I agree, very cool.
I hope there are more role-models like Admiral Grace in the making. I too will be sure to tell my girl all about her when she's a little older.
Reply
12-13-2006 @ 10:38AM
ann adams said...She was amazing.
Reply
12-13-2006 @ 10:51AM
Jenn said...Ada Byron is also a tremendous role-model connected to mathematics, computing and science.
Women actually had a greater role in the development of computers and computing than a lot of people know.
Reply
12-13-2006 @ 10:14PM
OmegaMom said...I remember being a young-ish woman, eating lunch with my mom at the Waldorf in Chicago. I saw this woman, and I knew I recognized her...and then I realized it was Admiral Hopper. Man. Talk about gushing. I actually got her autograph...and have long since lost it, dammmit. You know you're a computer geek when you recognize someone like that...
Reply