Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women’s History in the Computer Age

(Worcester, MA – February 26, 2004)  In honor of Women’s History Month, Worcester State College Computer Science Department will present the Women in Computing Film Series.  “To Dream Tomorrow” recognizes Ada Byron Lovelace who contributed to the age of computers before there were computers and “Minerva’s Machine; Women and Computing” examines why women, once a strong presence among computer pioneers, aren’t embracing computing today. 

The first film, “To Dream Tomorrow,” chronicles Ada Byron Lovelace’s life and her contributions to mathematics and science.  The daughter of a mathematically gifted mother Anne Isabelle Milbanke and poet Lord Byron, her life was unconventional, daring and short. Driven to math and science by her mother, Lovelace’s greatest achievement was her notes and improvements on Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine.  Lovelace fought to work professionally and contributed to science and computing over a hundred years before the computer age began. 

“Minerva’s Machine: Women and Computing” explores why there are fewer women in computing than men.  Considering what the repercussions will be to our increasingly computer-oriented society and what will happen if women are not as prepared in computing as men, the film also examines programs designed to encourage girls in math science and engineering.  In 1997, Minerva’s Machine was awarded with the Exceptional Merit Media Award.  In 1996, the film received the Brooklyn Arts Council Award and the Computer Press Award. 

“To Dream Tomorrow” will begin at 3 p.m. on March 11, “Minerva’s Machine: Women and Computing” will start at 3 p.m. on March 25.  Both films can be viewed in the Multimedia Auditorium (102) of the Science and Technology Center at Worcester State College.  This film series is free and open to the public.  For more information visit wwwfac.worcester.edu/cs/ or email kwurst@worcester.edu    (MM)

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