Celebrating the Women Who Forged the Future of Technology

Dignari celebrates the people who leave a mark through hard work and perseverance. As a woman-owned business, Dignari named each of our service methodologies after a woman we admire for her ability to deliver on a vision – and who, in many ways, forged the future of technology. In honor of Women’s History Month, Dignari recognizes these trailblazers who impacted our company – and in many ways, the world.

PROGRAM STRATEGY & EXECUTION:

Grace Hopper, also known as "Amazing Grace," was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, a pioneering computer scientist who coined the term “computer bug,” and one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer in the 1940s. Hopper was instrumental in the development of the first high-level programming language, COBOL, which revolutionized computer programming by making it more accessible to non-technical users. Hopper's work paved the way for modern software development and her legacy continues to inspire generations of women and minorities in STEM fields.

In addition to her technical contributions, Hopper was also an advocate for diversity and equality in the field of computer science, working to promote the idea that anyone could learn to code, regardless of their background or education, and believed that a diverse workforce was essential for the success of the industry. Her impact on computer science has been recognized through numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Technology, and induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Her legacy continues to inspire generations of computer scientists and her contributions to the field are still felt today – which is why Dignari named our Program Strategy & Execution methodology after her, as we emulate Hopper’s mix of vision and execution when advising our clients.

HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN:

Adele Goldberg is a renowned computer scientist best known for her contributions to the development of the Smalltalk programming language, a pioneering language in object-oriented programming. Goldberg also played a crucial role in creating the Xerox Alto, the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, revolutionizing how people interacted with computers. Her work has profoundly impacted computer science and influenced the design of modern programming languages and user interfaces.

Goldberg's contributions to the development of Smalltalk were particularly significant, as the language's object-oriented design principles have become the foundation for many modern programming languages, including Java, C++, and Python. Goldberg's work also helped establish the importance of user interface design in developing computer software, which has become a critical area of research and development in computer science. Overall, her work has had a lasting impact on computer science and has helped to shape the way we think about programming and computer technology.

Like Adele Goldberg, Dignari believes that good design must stand the test of time. We understand the power of user experience and champion a comprehensive approach to designing systems, applications, and interfaces to lead organizations into the future – which is why Dignair named our Human-Centered Design methodology after her.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION:

Annie Easley was a pioneering computer scientist who worked at NASA for over three decades. She played a crucial role in developing the software for the Centaur rocket, which was used to launch numerous space missions. Easley's work was instrumental in advancing the field of computer science and helped pave the way for future generations of women and minorities to enter the field.

In addition to her technical contributions, Easley advocated for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She worked to encourage young people, particularly women and people of color, to pursue careers in science and technology. Easley's legacy inspires and motivates those working to make computer science more accessible and inclusive.

Easley’s technical contributions and advocacy work have had a lasting effect on the field and have helped pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive community of computer scientists. Dignari admires Easley’s ability to apply emerging technology creatively to solve real problems and break through barriers of outdated thinking to deliver value – which is why we named our Emerging Technology Integration methodology after her.

DATA SCIENCE & ANALYTICS:

Florence Nightingale, primarily known as a pioneer of modern nursing, also made significant contributions to statistical analysis in the 1800s. She was the first to use graphical methods to represent data, including the now-famous polar area diagram or "coxcomb chart," which she used to illustrate the mortality rates of soldiers during the Crimean War. Nightingale's statistical analysis improved public health and sanitation, and her methods are still widely used today in fields such as epidemiology and public policy.

Her focus on data-driven decision-making and accurate record-keeping helped establish statistics as a critical tool for understanding complex systems and making informed decisions. She also played a crucial role in establishing the Royal Statistical Society, which continues to promote the use of statistics for the public good.

Nightingale's contributions to statistical analysis helped revolutionize how data is collected, analyzed, and used, and it continues to have a lasting impact on numerous fields today. As such, Dignari named our Data Science & Analytics methodology after Nightingale, embracing her methodical approach to harness the power of data that enables intelligent decision-making for complex missions.

TECHNOLOGY DELIVERY:

Margaret Hamilton is widely recognized for pioneering software engineering contributions, particularly in developing flight software for NASA's Apollo missions. She is credited with coining the term "software engineering" and developing concepts such as error detection and recovery, which have become fundamental principles in software design and development today. Hamilton's work on the Apollo program and subsequent advocacy for software safety and reliability standards helped shape how software is developed and validated for critical applications.

In addition to her technical achievements, Hamilton also played an essential role in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. She founded her own software company, Hamilton Technologies, which was run entirely by women, and has been a vocal advocate for women in STEM fields. Hamilton's legacy continues to inspire and influence software engineers worldwide, particularly those working on critical applications where reliability and safety are paramount.

The Dignari team brings that same commitment to delivery integrity, helping organizations balance day-to-day delivery with the constant pressure of adopting the next big thing with robust, measured, and proven methodologies that span the spectrum of modern IT service delivery – which is why we named our Technology Delivery methodology after her.

CONCLUSION:

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements throughout history. And as a company focused on delivering next-generation technology solutions, from biometrics to identity, border management, and seamless travel experiences, Dignari recognizes the problem-solvers, history makers, and technology pioneers – and all those standing on their shoulders transforming the next generation of innovations.