About Grace Hopper

Grace Brewster Murray Hopper (1906 - 1992) was an American mathematician, computer pioneer, and naval officer. She received a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale and led research and academic activities at Harvard and Vassar College.

One of the first modern “programmers,” Hopper is best known for her trailblazing contributions to the creation of one of the first computers Harvard Mark I, and the development of computer programming languages such as COBOL. She has also coined the term "bug" to refer to unexpected computer failure.

Known as irreverent, sharp-tongued, and brilliant, "Amazing Grace" enjoyed long and influential careers in academia, the U.S. Navy, and the private sector.

In 1969, the Data Processing Management Association awarded the first Computer Science Man-of-the-Year Award, in fact to a woman - to Grace Hopper. In 1973, Hopper also became the first woman (and the first American) to become a Distinguished Fellow of the British Computer Society. When she was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1991, Grace Hopper said “If you ask me what accomplishment I’m most proud of, the answer would be all the young people I’ve trained over the years; that’s more important than writing the first compiler.” In 2016, Hopper was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Grace Hopper's legacy continues to inspire both women and men working in the field of ICT, and beyond. This Award Program proudly bears her name and stems to empower generations of female ICT professionals in Georgia and promote excellence and workplace diversity in the field of technology.