Change Agent Abie Award

Change Agent Abie Award. The Change Agent Abie Award is a prestigious honor presented by AnitaB.org to recognize women who demonstrate exceptional leadership in driving systemic change to advance women's participation and success within the technology sector. Established in 2017, it is part of a suite of Abie Awards that celebrate diverse achievements across technical fields and leadership. The award specifically highlights individuals whose work creates measurable, high-impact cultural, social, or economic opportunities for women and girls in computing and related disciplines globally.

History and background

The award was inaugurated by AnitaB.org, the organization founded in honor of computer science pioneer Anita Borg, to expand its recognition programs beyond purely technical excellence. Its creation coincided with a growing industry focus on diversity and inclusion within major Silicon Valley firms and academic institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University. The award's philosophy is deeply connected to Borg's own advocacy for increasing the representation of women in computer science, a mission advanced through events like the Grace Hopper Celebration. The establishment of this category signaled a strategic shift to honor transformative advocacy and organizational change, complementing existing awards such as the Technical Leadership Abie Award.

Selection and criteria

Nominees are evaluated on their demonstrated ability to effect sustainable, systemic change within an organization, community, or broader ecosystem. The selection committee, comprised of leaders from AnitaB.org and the wider technology industry, assesses impact through tangible outcomes, such as the creation of new policies, programs, or cultural shifts that improve the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women. Criteria emphasize scalable initiatives, influence on organizational leadership—including within corporations like Google, Microsoft, or Intel—and a proven record of advocacy that addresses barriers like the gender pay gap or unconscious bias. The process involves a detailed review of nominations, often highlighting work in conjunction with non-profits, educational boards, or government initiatives.

Notable recipients

Recipients have included influential leaders from various sectors of the technology landscape. Larissa Shapiro, recognized in 2022, was honored for her global diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies at the Mozilla Foundation. Katherine L. Morse received the award in 2020 for her leadership at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and work with the U.S. Department of Defense. Jacqueline M. (Jackie) Bouvier was the 2019 recipient for her foundational role in building IBM's technical community for women. Other honorees have been cited for launching national coding initiatives, reforming STEM education curricula, and forging partnerships with organizations like the National Center for Women & Information Technology and Black Girls Code.

Impact and significance

The award amplifies successful models of intervention and provides a platform for recipients to influence broader industry practices. By spotlighting effective change agents, it encourages replication of proven strategies across corporations, universities, and governments worldwide. The recognition often leads to increased visibility and support for the awardees' initiatives, fostering collaborations with entities like the Association for Computing Machinery and the IEEE Computer Society. Its significance lies in validating organizational and cultural work as critical to solving the gender disparity in technology, thereby inspiring a new generation of advocates and leaders within the field.

Related awards and recognition

The Change Agent Abie Award exists within a larger ecosystem of honors for women in technology. Other Abie Awards include the Technical Leadership Abie Award, the Social Impact Abie Award, and the Student of Vision Abie Award. Externally, similar recognitions include the Women in Technology Hall of Fame administered by the Women in Technology International organization, the ACM Athena Lecturer Award, and the Harvey Mudd College Maria Klawe Award for Diversity in Computing. Many recipients of this award have also been honored by institutions like the British Computer Society or featured in lists such as the Forbes "50 Over 50" for their sector-specific impact.

Category:Awards established in 2017 Category:Women in technology awards Category:American science and technology awards