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. Over the coming months, we’ll be posting some our stories and our current journey to tell them.
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.
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Read another article on the Queens of Code in Her Mind Magazine about 5 of our Queens of Code.
The Queens of Code presented three talks about NSA’s Computing Women from the 60s, 70s, and 80s as part of the Cyber Center for Education & Innovation (CCEI) series on the NEPRIS platform. The programs are free, NEPRIS registration is required. The talks are geared to middle and high school students, but all are welcomed. Please share this information with anyone who might be interested. The sessions are now available online. You will need a free Nepris account to view them.
November 2020 session features Sherri Ramsay, Lois Gutman, and Eileen Buckholtz giving their advice about STEM and Cybersecurity careers.
https://nepris.com/sessions/session/detail/75972
June 4, 2020, 2:00 PM Meet the Queens of Code. Eileen Buckholtz and Maureen McHugh introduce the Queens of Code and share stories from their careers in technology at NSA.
https://ccei.nepris.com/sessions/session/detail/72553
June 11, 2020, 2:00 PM PreQueen stories about growing up as “smart girls” and our experiences with early computers. Dr. Nancy Welker, Kathy Jackson, and Monna Nabers with Eileen Buckholtz as moderator.
