Prominent Women Leaders in History

Programming was first introduced to me in my undergrad at an all-women's college. I loved solving logical problems, but I quickly realized I wasn't going to be the best coder in the room. That distinction belonged to my friend Shaama. She lived in the computer lab, coding with such passion that even the stern "Mother Superior" called her parents to praise her exceptional skills - a rare occurrence usually reserved for troublemakers!. Yet at home, Shama faced resistance. "Why computer science?" her family questioned her decision. All she could say was, "Why not?" What she lacked were visible role models—women who had blazed the trail before her. Throughout history, brilliant women worked in the shadows, tackling work men often avoided. 𝗔𝗱𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗺 in the 1840s, envisioning computing capabilities most couldn't grasp. During WWII, 𝗝𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀—work dismissed as less important than hardware, their contributions unrecognized for decades. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲," 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 by creating the first compiler that made programming languages universally accessible. 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 "𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁"—though she humbly rejects it, noting the internet wasn't invented by any single person. Her pioneering network algorithms nonetheless became crucial building blocks for how we connect online today. 𝗛𝗲𝗱𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. Known as a glamorous film star, she secretly invented frequency-hopping technology to prevent Nazi jamming of torpedo signals—foundational to WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS we use daily. The military initially dismissed her work before classifying it as too valuable to implement. 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 upended mathematics despite being barred from faculty positions because of her gender. Einstein called her "the most significant creative mathematical genius" of her time, yet she lectured under male colleagues' names. These women didn't merely participate in technological revolution—they drove it forward against systems designed to exclude them. Today, women like 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗴 and "Godmother of AI" 𝗙𝗲𝗶-𝗙𝗲𝗶 𝗟𝗶 continue shaping technology—fighting algorithmic bias and championing human-centric technology. This Women's History Month, let us reclaim this narrative. When we understand that women have always been at computing's cutting edge, we see clearly that technology advances fastest and humanity moves forward when diverse minds contribute. Tag women in tech that inspire you! #womenshistorymonth #womenintech #techpioneers #hiddenfigures

The women who made the world say Hello Without them, we couldn’t call. Or connect. They wired voices across oceans, mountains & time. They built the signal that built the world. From Morse to 5G, they carried the call. When we asked for connection, they answered. 📌 Dr. Sarah Bagley First US female telegraph operator. Fought for labor reform and women’s pay equity. Helped wire early telecom with activism and skill. 📌 Martha Coston Invented Coston flares for naval signals. Self-taught widow. Her innovation became standard in maritime emergency comms. 📌 Kumba Musa Built Sierra Leone’s secure telecom networks. Founded STEM Women SL. Champion of West Africa’s digital equity and talent. 📌 Edwige Robinson Leads T-Mobile’s 5G rollout across 23 states. Top tech exec driving AI, access, and mentorship in US telecom. 📌 Andrea Goldsmith Marconi Prize winner. Created adaptive wireless tech. Princeton Dean shaping faster, fairer networks for billions. 📌 Funke Opeke Built West Africa’s undersea cable. Cut broadband costs, grew access. A telecom force bridging inclusion and infrastructure. 📌 Erica Johnson Leads broadband standards at QA Cafe. Advanced device testing and interoperability. Voice for equity in network design. 📌 Shirley Bloomfield CEO of NTCA, powering rural broadband. Links remote schools, hospitals, and homes to digital life. 📌 Kathryn A. Walker Led Sprint’s network ops. Now backs telecom startups. Bridges legacy systems with next-gen tech and capital. 📌 Dr. Erna Hoover Invented computerized phone switching. Patented tech while on leave. First woman to lead Bell Labs research. 📌 Martha Lane Fox Co-founded lastminute.com. Became UK Digital Champion. Drives inclusion from gov tech to the House of Lords. 📌 Leesa Soulodre Telecom VC funding quantum and AI. Shapes wireless standards across 40+ countries. Mission-first, future-focused. They scaled networks. Built systems. Rewired what’s possible. From cables to code, their work connects billions today. Who gets to pick up the phone, thanks to them?

“Really? Has your country never had a female Prime Minister?” Friends from across the world are often surprised to learn that the Netherlands – widely regarded as a progressive country – has never had a female head of government. I used to think the same. But I was wrong. When recently visiting the @Rijksmuseum, I discovered that long before modern times, three remarkable women once governed the ‘Northern Netherlands’. Brief context: The Habsburg Netherlands rule (covering the present-day Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and part of northern France) began in 1482 and ended when the ‘Seven United Provinces’ seceded in 1581. The Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands was a representative appointed by the Holy Roman Emperor (1504-1556) and, later, the King of Spain (1556-1598). 1.     Margaret of Austria (1480-1530) was the first woman to serve as Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands – from 1507 to 1515, and again from 1519 until her death. Considered a competent diplomat by historians, she promoted peace, trade and neutrality. She had a significant library and art collection, reflecting her appreciation for culture and intellect. Under her rule, the economy flourished. 2.     Mary of Austria, also known as Mary of Hungary (1505-1558) took over governance in 1530. She never took pleasure in governing and on several occasions even requested if she could resign. Despite this reluctance to rule, she played an important role in unifying the provinces, strengthened Dutch autonomy from the Holy Roman Empire, and balanced tolerance for Protestantism in the Netherlands with the Catholic nature of the Habsburg empire. When she finally resigned in 1555, she was still asked to resume her post, which she declined. 3.     Margaret of Parma (1522-1686) served as Governor from 1559 to 1567 and again from 1578 to 1582. Governing during a period of mounting Dutch discontent against the Inquisition and Spanish repression, she consistently sought compromise and conciliation.      In 1581, the United Provinces of the Netherlands declared independence. Since that day, all government leaders have been male. I am not turning to LinkedIn to assess these women, nor to compare them to male leaders of their time. My point is that they have been largely written out of our national narrative. When wealthy women in positions of great power are so easily forgotten, it is a stark reminder of how many others have never received the recognition they deserved. We all benefit from truly understanding how the society we live in now, has been shaped. That understanding must include knowing and acknowledging the role that women of all classes and across the entire political spectrum have played, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. May this note inspire the current generation of Dutch girls and young women to play their role in shaping the future lying ahead of us. And I hope that one day we will have our first female Prime Minister….  

I’ve been reflecting on the powerful stories of women breaking barriers in Africa’s military leadership. Let’s honour just a few standout leaders who have achieved remarkable ranks and paved the way for future generations: 1. Dr. Fatou Fall (Senegal) A medical doctor who was appointed Senegal’s first female army general. A trailblazer whose dual expertise in medicine and military leadership sets a historic benchmark. 2. Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed (Kenya) Promoted to Major General in 2018, the first female major general in Kenya. In 2024, she reached another milestone as the first woman to command Kenya’s Air Force. 🇰🇪 3. Constance Ama Emefa Edjeani-Afenu (Ghana) Ghana’s first female Brigadier General, promoted in 2017, and posthumously elevated to Major General. She also served in United Nations peacekeeping and held diplomatic roles. 🇬🇭 4. Lieutenant General Proscovia Nalweyiso (Uganda) The most decorated female officer in Uganda, later promoted to Lieutenant General and serving as a senior defence advisor to the President. A formidable figure in Uganda’s armed forces. 🇺🇬 5. General Fatima Zohra Ardjoune (Algeria) The first woman in the Arab world to attain the rank of general in the Algerian Army. A trained medical doctor and researcher in hematology, she led the army’s central hospital. 🇩🇿 These women are reshaping Africa’s military narratives, from health to leadership, diplomacy to defence. They challenge stereotypes, elevate institutions, and create visible pathways for young women across the continent. It’s inspiring to see women who lead with courage, resilience, and vision. 🔥 #WomenInTheMilitary #Leadership #Trailblazers #Inspiration #Africa

Day 8 of Women's History Month: The Female Icons Reshaping Luxury's Timeline While men's names dominate luxury's visible history, women have been the true revolutionary force transforming luxury from empty status symbols into vehicles of cultural change. They weren't just mere participants, they were the visionaries who repeatedly redefined what luxury could be, often while being deliberately written out of the narrative. Today, I'm spotlighting the women, some who truly built and others who are building luxury as we know it. 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒: Jeanne Lanvin - A revolutionary who created one of the first true lifestyle luxury brands, expanding from children's clothing to a full universe including perfume, home décor, and menswear. Madame Clicquot - The 27-year-old widow who invented champagne as we know it by creating the first vintage champagne and the riddling process that gave us clear bubbles. Elsa Schiaparelli - Who dared to merge surrealist art with fashion, creating "hard chic" that directly challenged Chanel's soft femininity. 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐒: Maria Grazia Chiuri - Transformed Dior from pretty to powerful with her "We Should All Be Feminists" messaging, proving social values and luxury aren't mutually exclusive. Tory Burch - Created a billion-dollar luxury accessible brand while simultaneously building one of the largest foundations for female entrepreneurs. Miuccia Prada - The intellectual revolutionary who brought conceptual thinking to luxury fashion, proving beautiful things can also be intellectually challenging. Azza Fahmy - The Egyptian jeweller who elevated traditional Arab craftsmanship into global luxury while maintaining cultural authenticity. 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐒: Aurora James - Founder of Brother Vellies and the 15 Percent Pledge, merging luxury craftsmanship with accountability. Rosh Mahtani of Alighieri - Translating Dante's Divine Comedy into jewellery that embraces imperfection as luxury. Marine Serre - Pioneering regenerative luxury through upcycling without sacrificing an iota of desire. Priya Ahluwalia - Transforming luxury menswear through cultural storytelling and sustainable innovation. What connects these women across time isn't just their gender, but their willingness to challenge what luxury could be, often bringing perspectives that were missing from the conversation. In The Luxpreneur, I explore how these transformative approaches create revolutionary luxury businesses. Link in bio to discover how to build your own legacy. 🇺🇸 tinyurl.com/yeert22u 🇬🇧 tinyurl.com/The-Luxpreneur #TheLuxpreneur #IWD #IWD25 #InternationalWomensDay #WomensHistoryMonth #LuxuryIcons #WomenInBusiness

Lost in a chorus of the 'Founding Fathers', glad to finally see the spotlight on our 'Mothers'. As India celebrates Republic Day today, paying tribute to the 11 extraordinary women who etched their names – and their dreams – onto the bedrock of our nation, the Indian Constitution. ▫️ G. Durgabai, the crusader for legal aid. ▫️ Ammu Swaminathan, the champion of women's suffrage. ▫️ Amrit Kaur, India's first Health Minister. ▫️ Hansa Mehta, the tireless advocate for education. ▫️ Renuka Ray, the voice of social justice. ▫️ Sucheta Kripalani, who battled for economic and social equality. They shattered glass ceilings, not just for themselves, but for generations to come. ▫️ Dakshayani Velayudhan, who fought for the welfare of women prisoners. ▫️ Purnima Banerji, the champion of labour rights. ▫️ Begum Qudsiya Aizaz Rasul, the voice of Muslim women. ▫️ Kamala Chaudhri, the torchbearer of rural development. ▫️ Annie Mascarene, the advocate for Dalit rights. Their stories remind us that the fight for a just India was waged not just in grand halls, but also in villages and across communities. These are not mere footnotes to be skimmed over. They are architects, each brick laid with conviction and passion, forming the sturdy edifice of our democracy. Celebrating today not just the ink on the Constitution but the specific contributions of the women who wrote it. In their names, I find not just the story of India's past but the seeds of a more equitable, more empowered future. #WomenEmpowerment #India #Justice #Gender #DiversityEquityInclusion The Indian Express Menaka Guruswamy

Why Women’s History Month is special for Muslims when it overlaps with Ramadan? They will be honoring the first female CEO from the 6th century. Khadija bint Khuwaylid is often considered to be one of the first, if not the first female CEO in recorded history. She was a successful businesswoman in pre-Islamic Arabia in the 6th century, known for her entrepreneurial skills, ethical business standards, and wealth. For muslims, she is one of the most respected and loved figures as the wife of Muhammad during his more vulnerable time. By providing financial backing, moral support, and leadership to Muhammad and within the community, she was instrumental for what would become a global faith. As Muslims reflect during the month of Ramadan, they also get to delve into invaluable lessons for today's world and the role of gender equity: ✅ Excellence in Business and Leadership: Khadija's management of her trading empire, surpassing the combined efforts of her contemporaries, showcases her exceptional business acumen and leadership skills. She inherited a business in a male-dominated society and in a highly turbulent macro environment and unsafe markets, yet grew it through strategic hiring of talent with values who would drive brand reputation of ethics via fair and honest dealings. ✅ Defying Social Norms with Courage and Vision: She employed Muhammad for her business and soon became attracted to the ethical values he championed in business dealings (that also resulted in more business) that resonated with those of hers. In a society that was rigid and unforgiving, Khadija's decision to marry Muhammad (she sent the proposal for marriage), a younger man of modest means, defied cultural expectations and highlighted her independence and strength. This mirrors the courage required of modern CEOs who challenge the status quo, break glass ceilings, and lead with authenticity without fear of being "cancelled". ✅ Philanthropy as a Core Value: Khadija's commitment to using her wealth to aid the poor, support orphans, and empower women sets a high bar. Her approach mirrors the values-driven leadership that today's admired CEOs, like those heading socially responsible firms, strive to embody. Her legacy teaches us that true leadership involves lifting others as we climb, prioritizing societal well-being alongside business success. This Women's History Month, let us honor the spirit of Khadija and all the women who continue to lead with values, challenge the status quo, and empower others. Their contributions are not just footnotes in history but pivotal chapters that shape our present and future. May we draw inspiration from her legacy and strive to create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can lead with dignity, purpose, and compassion. Thoughts shared are my perspective only. #deib #diversityequityinclusionandbelonging #womenhistorymonth #leadership #culture #management #innovation #humanresources #genderequity #ramadan2024 #ramadanmubarak

In celebration of #IWD25, we’ve gotta talk about Lucinda W. Prince. There is zero doubt in my mind that Prince was the first to focus her career entirely on uplifting women in the sales profession. While studying in Germany in the late 1800s, she learned about the concept of “continuing education”. Back at home in Boston around 1905, she was in a leadership role for a club for “working women”. She realized women weren’t making as much in sales as men. And the reasons? Women didn’t have the same level of education and had less access to training. #Womeninsales needed an advocate. Using the learnings from her time in Germany, Prince became that advocate. She spearheaded an effort to determine what training was needed for “girls who wished to become saleswomen”. She created a sales training program through the WEIU (Women’s Education and Industrial Union) in Boston. 🤯 When employers ignored her and her programs, she won them over by “demonstrating she could outsell even their best salespeople”. She had 16 students in her initial cohort in October of 1906. The next cohort had over 100 applicants. The popularity exploded from there. By 1909, Mrs. Prince had become a phenomenon - a sought-after speaker and a driver of more courses and more discussions around the profession of sales for women all across the country. Under her leadership, “Salesmanship” was being taught in nine Boston HIGH SCHOOLS by 1912, where 400 high school girls were going through the program. In a speech she gave on May 16th, 1916 in Cincinnati, she said: "...mothers and daughters came to realize that the position of a saleswoman was one of dignity, responsibility and initiative; that it offered much more chance for personal development and a future than commercial courses, that above everything else, its cultural value was apparent." Lucinda W. Prince…I post about her every year about this time. She deserves to be a sales-household-name. 🥰 p.s. She would be on my Mount Rushmore of sales pioneers from the early 1900s. (Lucinda, John H. Patterson, Arthur Sheldon, and there are a few tied for the 4th head, IMO - Norval Hawkins, Worthington Holman, Orison Marden, etc.)

WOMEN’S WEDNESDAY: ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was the first “activist” First Lady, developing a political agenda of gender and racial justice that was considerably more radical than that of her formidable husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was president from 1933-1945. FDR overcame polio thanks to the personal and political help of his wife. Eleanor have hundreds of press conferences during FDR’s presidency, spoke out on racial equality and civil rights, and invited African Americans to the White House. This made her highly controversial, especially among conservative Southern Democrats. After Pearl Harbor, she spoke out on prejudice against Japanese Americans, a courageous act in that period of hysteria. After the war, she became the head of the US mission to the United Nations. From 1946-1952, she was Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission, and later chaired JFK’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. 

Did you know… Dorothy Irene Height was born on March 24th, 1912 in Richmond, Virginia. Her family later moved to Rankin, Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh where she excelled as a student. Height had applied to and been accepted to Barnard College in New York, but as the start of school neared, the college changed its mind about her admittance, telling Height that they had already met their quota for Black students. Undeterred, she applied to New York University, where she would earn two degrees: a bachelor's degree in education in 1930, and a master's degree in psychology in 1932. After working for a time as a social worker in Harlem, Height joined the staff of the Harlem YWCA in 1937. Height met educator and founder of the National Council of Negro Women Mary McLeod Bethune when Bethune and U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt came to visit her facility. Height soon volunteered with the NCNW and became close to Bethune. In 1957, she became the fourth president of the NCNW. Height was president of NCNW for 40 years. Height’s prominence in the Civil Rights Movement and unmatched knowledge in organizing, meant she was regularly called to give advice on political issues. Eleanor Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson often sought her counsel. In addition to her work in the United States, Height traveled extensively. She served as a visiting professor at the University of Delhi, India and with the Black Women’s Federation of South Africa. Height worked with Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, John Lewis and James Farmer — sometimes called the "Big Six" of the civil rights movement — on different campaigns and initiatives. In 1963, Height was one of the organizers of the famed March on Washington. She stood close to King when he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. Height joined in the fight for women's rights. In 1971, she helped found the National Women's Political Caucus with Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan and Shirley Chisholm. Height received many honors for her contributions to society. In 1989, she received the Citizens Medal Award from President Ronald Reagan and in 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Height was also inducted into the Democracy Hall of Fame International. She also received an estimated 24 honorary degrees. In 2004, President George W. Bush gave Height the Congressional Gold Medal. On April 20th, 2010, Height passed away at the age of 98. Her funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral. On February 1, 2017, the United States Postal Service kicked off Black History Month with the issuance of the Dorothy Height Forever stamp honoring her civil rights legacy.