Are you not familiar with “The Queen of the Engines” (fine that’s a reference to The Difference Engine)? Ada Lovelace wasn’t just the first programmer, pushing Charles Babbage’s Difference and Analytical to beyond what Charles himself envisioned, I’d venture that Ada was the world’s first geek girl.
Here’s a women who bucked the Victorian trends of the day and did some kick ass stuff with “computers”, and we should all be grateful to her. Thus today, Ada Lovelace Day, a day to blog about women in tech you admire.
Honestly I had a really hard time picking someone to blog about, because I know a raft of amazing women in tech. So with no slight to any of my friends, I have chosen two women. I’ve chosen a woman of right now and a woman-to-be who I know will do some rockin’ tech things.
I’ve picked Justine (iJustine) Ezarik (now) and my daughter Aislinn (future).
Most of us have heard of Justine, and I think all too many people write her off or dismiss her off hand. You see a cute blond talking about tech and being a goof on camera and think, yeah whatever. Oh you are so wrong.
I first heard Justine speak at the first BlogWorldExpo with Leo Laporte, and in the misguided interest of getting the post out fast, I didn’t stay for her whole talk. What I did hear blew me away. She started her first website at twelve because a boy dissed her and she wanted revenge (the true mark of a geek, vengeance). She is smart, savvy and together.
Later I had the pleasure of being on a panel with her at Affiliate Summit West talking about social media and affiliate marketing. Again, amazed. Talking with her is fun, because she is smart, easy going, and really loves to geek out with the best of us.
Now, my second person, my daughter Aislinn.
Of course I’m a proud Dad. She wanted her own blog at 9 (yes, she has one but it’s private). She took up digital photography last year and is just gifted. She rocks Club Penguin and Webkinz online. She intuitively understands how the world of social media has changed the world. She just groks it. I know that she might not always be into tech, but any girl who could out tech support her teacher in Grade 1 and was asked to be on TV with Leo Laporte at 10 has it seriously going on.
I am so proud of her, l love her, and miss her dearly.
Who are your choices?
And not to slight the feelings of my son, he’s my choice for Charles Babbage Day is there is one.
Awesome post. And yes…Aislinn is very gifted. You are very lucky to have a talented daughter like Aislinn.
Great post
I also dismissed Justine as a hot chick, but as I watched her speak I saw a depth there that her looks can't hide for long. I think in the days of Julia Allison, the assumption is that a hot girl is shallow. Justine is definitely deep and I'm glad you spotlighted her. Glad to see the shout out to Aislinn too. I need to do something similar for Cady.
Great idea to tag your daughter. I miss mine, too! Her photos are amazing!
Thanks everyone. We certainly need to make sure women in tech get the cred they deserve.