Queens of Code is a women’s technology history project which is collecting stories, experiences, and insights from women who worked in information technology at National Security Agency in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Because these women’s jobs were often top secret and they worked on the most sensitive national security programs, they couldn’t discuss what they did; in many cases, they couldn’t even confirm they worked there.
Queens of Code is bringing the NSA’s computing women out of the shadows — allowing them to claim their rightful place in history and the ever-evolving story of how technology has altered America’s position in the world. Much as Hidden Figures did for the women of NASA and Code Girls did for the female code breakers of World War II, this project sheds lights on how women served our nation, created innovations in technology, and expanded women’s career opportunities for the generations that followed. Hopefully the stories will be an inspiration to young women as well as men and encourage them to pursue STEM careers.
Queens of Code, Inspiring True Stories of NSA’s Computing Women will be a MIT Press Title, scheduled for Fall 2026. Here’s the description in MIT Press’s online catalog. The stories of America’s unsung computing women, brought out of the shadows and into their rightful place in the history of technology.
Eileen Buckholtz, Director of the Queens of Code Project was the keynote speaker at the Carroll County League of Women’s Voting celebration of Women’s Equality Day, August 22, 2024 at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.
Queens of Code Talk, Jan 20, 2022 at 4:00 EST
Thanks to the Internet Society, the program is now available online: See the Queens of Code program here
They’ve kept their secrets for 50 years or more.
Laura Nelson, Kathy Jackson, and Eileen Buckholtz share their stories about the National Security Agency’s computing women and offer tips for students considering a STEM career.
Dr. Nancy Welker, Maureen McHugh, and Eileen Buckholtz were featured speakers at the SIG/CIS conference on Friday September 24th.
The IEEE article on the Queens of Code was chosen for reprint in the April Issue of The Computing Edge. Read the article here.
The Queens of Code gave a well-attended virtual presentation for the National Cryptologic Museum on April 28, 2021.
