National Archives McGowan Forum to Explore Women in Technology March 24
Press Release · Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Washington, DC

Women in Leadership: From the Computer Age to the Digital Age

On Thursday, March 24, at 7:30 P.M., the National Archives and National Archives Foundation will host the 9th annual McGowan Forum on Women in Leadership. For this year’s program, titled Women in Leadership: From the Computer Age to the Digital Age, a distinguished panel moderated by Megan Smith, U.S. Chief Technology Officer, will discuss women’s impact on technology. The event will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, and live streamed on YouTube. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW. This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation with the generous support of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund.

This public program is free to the public, but reservations are recommended and can be made online. For those without reservations, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program.

Women in Leadership: From the Computer Age to the Digital Age

This event will celebrate innovative women in the computer technology sciences, from trailblazers like Grace Hopper, Katherine Jonson, and the ENIAC programmers, through the years to today’s women in leadership roles and those shaping the computer age.

What are their experiences and what changes have taken place in their opportunities, expectations, responsibilities, obstacles, and challenges? Featuring film clips and discussion, a panel will explore the women who made history and paved the way, as well as talk about their own personal journeys and the advice they would offer to young women entering the fields. Moderated by Megan Smith, U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Assistant to the President, panelists include Kathy Kleiman, founder of the ENIAC Programmers Project; Telle Whitney, CEO, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology; Florence Tan, NASA, Electrical Lead Engineer on Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL); and Emily Reid, Director of Education, Girls Who Code and Gillian Jacobs, director of the film “The Queen of Code.”.

The National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, is Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. For upcoming programs, visit the Calendar of Events online.

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National Archives contact: Public.affairs@nara.gov

National Archives Foundation contact, and media RSVP: Melissa.schwartz@bromwichgroup.com

The National Archives is an independent Federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries, and on the Internet at: www.archives.gov.

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at: www.archivesfoundation.org.

The National Archives Museum, created by the National Archives in partnership with the National Archives Foundation, has transformed the visitor experience and includes the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, the David M. Rubenstein Gallery and its Records of Rights permanent exhibition, the award-winning Public Vaults permanent gallery, the William G. McGowan Theater, the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery for special exhibits, the Boeing Learning Center, the Digital Vaults online exhibit, and the DocsTeach website.

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For press information contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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