I think it is important to talk about the role that some women have played in the development

of computers and computing. For years, the work of these women has been undervalued.

I have chosen Grace Hoppe, a brilliant American scientist and military woman. In the 1950s she
developed the first compiler for a programming language. She promoted the idea of machine-
independent programming languages. This was the basis for the development of COBOL.

Many consider her to be the first Hacker in history. For her all her achievements on a personal
level were less important than the satisfaction of having educated many people through her
classes and lectures.

Her role was very important in making the world of computing what it is today.

We often think of computer science as something of today, modern, up-to-date, and we

should look back and read and study all the pioneers since the 19th century who have made it
possible to reach today's level.