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!