Dame Stephanie Shirley

Dame Stephanie Shirley is a renowned British businesswoman, philanthropist, and Autism Speaks supporter, best known for founding Freelance Programmers, a pioneering IT company that employed only women. Born in Dortmund, Germany, she was sent to England as a child refugee in 1939, escaping the Nazi regime and settling in Sutton Coldfield with her foster parents. She was educated at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls and later attended University of London, where she studied Mathematics and Physics. Her early life experiences, including her relationship with her foster parents and her education at University of London, had a profound impact on her future endeavors, including her involvement with Autism Speaks and her support for Women in Technology.

● Early Life and Education

Dame Stephanie Shirley's early life was marked by her experiences as a child refugee, fleeing Nazi Germany with her Kindertransport group and settling in England with her foster parents. She was educated at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, where she developed an interest in Mathematics and Science, inspired by her teachers, including Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin. She later attended University of London, where she studied Mathematics and Physics, graduating with a degree in Mathematics from University of London and later earning a Master's degree in Mathematics from University of London. Her education at University of London and her involvement with Women in Technology organizations, such as British Computer Society and Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, played a significant role in shaping her future career.

● Career

Dame Stephanie Shirley's career in the IT industry began in the 1950s, when she worked at the Post Office Research Station and later at ICT, where she met her future business partner, John Aris. In 1962, she founded Freelance Programmers, a pioneering IT company that employed only women, including Sue Black and Hilda Braid, and provided software development services to clients such as British Aerospace and GCHQ. The company's innovative approach to software development and its commitment to Women in Technology earned it a reputation as a leader in the IT industry, with partnerships with IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle Corporation. Her work with Freelance Programmers and her involvement with Women in Technology organizations, such as British Computer Society and Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, helped to pave the way for future generations of women in the IT industry.

● Philanthropy

Dame Stephanie Shirley is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting a range of causes, including Autism Speaks, National Autistic Society, and Ambitious about Autism. Her philanthropic work is focused on supporting autistic individuals and their families, inspired by her late son, Giles Shirley, who had autism. She has also supported Women in Technology initiatives, including Code First: Girls and Stemettes, and has worked with organizations such as BBC, Channel 4, and The Guardian to promote Women in Technology and Autism awareness. Her philanthropic efforts have been recognized by organizations such as BBC, The Guardian, and The Times, and have helped to raise awareness about autism and the importance of supporting autistic individuals and their families.

● Awards and Recognition

Dame Stephanie Shirley has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the IT industry and her philanthropic work, including a DBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2000. She has also been recognized by organizations such as BBC, The Guardian, and The Times, and has received awards from British Computer Society, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, and Women in Technology organizations. Her awards and recognition include the BBC's 100 Women list, the The Guardian's 100 most powerful women in the UK list, and the The Times' 100 most influential people in the UK list, and she has been named one of the most influential women in the IT industry by Forbes, Fortune, and Wired.

● Personal Life

Dame Stephanie Shirley's personal life has been marked by her experiences as a child refugee and her later struggles as a single mother, raising her son, Giles Shirley, who had autism. She has been open about her experiences and has used her platform to raise awareness about autism and the importance of supporting autistic individuals and their families. She has also been recognized for her contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, including her support for Stonewall and The Trevor Project, and has been named one of the most influential LGBTQ+ allies by The Advocate and Out. Her personal life and experiences have been featured in various media outlets, including BBC, The Guardian, and The Times, and she has written about her life and experiences in her autobiography, Let It Go.