Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology

Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women in the field of technology. Founded in 1997 by computer scientists Anita Borg and Telle Whitney, it operates with the core belief that women are vital to building technology that benefits society. The institute runs a portfolio of programs, awards, and communities designed to inspire, connect, and guide women in computing fields. Its most prominent event is the annual Grace Hopper Celebration, the world's largest gathering of women technologists.

History and founding

The organization was conceived by pioneering computer scientist Anita Borg, who had previously founded the online community Systers in 1987. In 1994, Borg and fellow researcher Telle Whitney began discussing the need for a formal institute to address the systemic underrepresentation of women in computing. With initial support from industry leaders, including Alan Eustace of Digital Equipment Corporation, the Institute for Women and Technology was formally launched in 1997. Following Borg's death in 2003, the organization was renamed in her honor, becoming the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, with Whitney serving as its long-time president and CEO. The institute's early work was supported by partnerships with major technology firms like IBM, Microsoft, and Intel.

Mission and programs

The core mission is to accelerate the pace of global innovation by working to achieve 50/50 equity for women in technology by 2025. Key programs include the Grace Hopper Celebration and the AnitaB.org Open Source Day. It also administers the Anita Borg Top Company for Women Technologists award, which benchmarks and recognizes organizations committed to building equitable workplaces. Other initiatives include local communities called Systers Communities and the A. Richard Newton Educator Award, which honors educators who encourage women in computing. These programs are supported by a coalition of partners including Google, Apple Inc., and the National Science Foundation.

Grace Hopper Celebration

The Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) is the institute's flagship event, first held in 1994 in Washington, D.C. and now managed annually. Named in honor of computer science pioneer Grace Hopper, it has grown into the world's largest technical conference for women in computing, attracting tens of thousands of attendees from over 60 countries. The event features keynote speeches by leaders from companies like Facebook and Amazon, hundreds of technical sessions, and a massive career fair with recruiters from NASA, Lockheed Martin, and hundreds of other global employers. The celebration serves as a critical platform for networking, mentorship, and the presentation of research through its ACM student research competition.

Impact and recognition

The organization has significantly influenced the conversation and practice around gender diversity in the technology industry. Its research and benchmarks, such as the annual Top Company for Women Technologists report, provide critical data for corporations and policymakers. Alumni of its programs hold influential positions at institutions like Stanford University, MIT, and Goldman Sachs. The institute's work has been recognized with awards and formal commendations, including from the White House and the Association for Computing Machinery. Its advocacy has contributed to increased focus on diversity initiatives within major tech hubs like Silicon Valley and has inspired similar organizations globally, such as Women Who Code and Black Girls Code.

Leadership and organization

Following the tenure of co-founder Telle Whitney, Brenda Darden Wilkerson became President and CEO in 2017, bringing experience from her prior role creating the Computer Science for All initiative for Chicago Public Schools. The institute is governed by a board of directors comprising executives from academia and industry, including leaders from Northwestern University and Visa Inc.. It operates with a global team headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and maintains a network of partners and sponsors that includes Bank of America, AT&T, and the United States Department of Defense. The organization formally rebranded to AnitaB.org in 2017, though it remains widely known by its original name.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in California Category:Women's organizations in the United States Category:Computer science organizations