Salute To Iconic Women: Grace Hopper

By Rhonesha Byng

March 19 2013, Published 7:48 p.m. ET

“If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It’s much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.” –Grace Hopper

Occupation: Computer Scientist

How she made her mark: Grace Hopper is credited for programming some of the earliest computers. She received the Naval Ordnance Development Award for her programming success and innovative approach on the Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III computers. At the time, computers were not built in a way that was user-friendly, and Hopper known as someone unafraid to challenge the status quo, sought to change that. She was focused and passionate about making the computer more user friendly for a wider audience. She attended Vasar college earning a bachelors in mathematics and went on to receive a Master’s and a Ph.D. from Yale University. After joining the Navy, Hopper never had just one job, she was a United States Navy Rear Admiral, a professor and frequently navigated between various positions in the private and public sectors. She’s most known for her invention of the compiler, the program that translates English language instructions into the language of the specific computer.

Which iconic woman from history inspires you?

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By: Rhonesha Byng

Rhonesha Byng is the founder and CEO of Her Agenda— a digital media platform bridging the gap between ambition and achievement for millennial women. The site provides access to content and community that gives millennial women access to information and inspiration to help them get started or to move to the next level of their career. Rhonesha is an Emmy award-winning journalist and entrepreneur whose philosophy in life is established by her acronym of N.E.S.H.A. No one Ever Slows Her Agenda. This motto served as the inspiration for Her Agenda. Rhonesha was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and ESSENCE magazine named her among 50 Founders To Watch. Rhonesha is also the co-founder of the newly formed nonprofit org The Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI).