Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day: Honouring the Past, And Real Talk About the future Women in Tech

Day 38 of the 30 days share something challenge.

Today is Ada Lovelace Day, and while it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of honouring one of the first ever computer programmers, I want to have a real, human conversation about what her legacy means for us today, especially for women in tech.

Ada Lovelace lived in a time when women weren’t even allowed to attend universities, yet she managed to write the world’s first algorithm for a machine. She saw potential in technology that no one else did, and her work literally helped shape the future of computer science.

Ada Lovelace was a visionary. At a time when women’s contributions to science and technology were dismissed, she persisted in imagining a world where mathematics and creativity came together in new, groundbreaking ways. Despite societal barriers, she broke through, paving the way for women to dream of tech careers before the term “tech” even existed.

But as we celebrate her accomplishments, I can’t help but reflect on where we are right now. It’s 2024, and the tech industry still doesn’t have enough women. Yes, we’ve made progress, but it’s frustrating to see how slow that progress is. Ada broke barriers in the 1800s, and yet here we are, still fighting some of the same battles.

Let’s be honest, tech can be tough for women. Not because we’re not capable (we absolutely are), but because it still feels like we’re walking into spaces that weren’t designed for us. I remember when I first entered the tech industry. I was excited, passionate, and ready to make a difference. But I quickly realised how few women there were around me, and that’s when the self doubt started to creep in.

Am I smart enough? Do I even belong here? Should I be doing this? Sound familiar?

These are the kinds of questions I hear all the time from women, especially those just starting out or considering a career change into tech. And let me tell you, I’ve been there. That feeling of being an outsider, of constantly having to prove yourself, of wondering if there’s a place for you in an industry that sometimes feels like an exclusive boys' club.

But we do belong here. Women like you, like me, like Ada, are exactly what tech needs right now.

Ada Lovelace didn’t have a roadmap to follow, she created the roadmap. And while our challenges today are different from the ones she faced, her legacy is a reminder that we’re not just participants in this industry, we’re pioneers. We’re shaping the future, just like she did.

But I get it. It’s hard to feel like you’re a pioneer when the numbers tell a different story. According to a recent report, women make up less than 26% of the tech workforce in the UK, and it’s even worse in leadership roles.? That means that many of us are still the “onlys” in the room, the only woman, the only person of colour, the only one who’s trying to bring a different perspective to the table.

It’s exhausting. But we have to keep going.

I remember working on a tech project early in my career where I was the only woman on the team. I had ideas, but I often hesitated to speak up. I felt like I had to over-prepare just to be taken seriously, and even then, my ideas didn’t always get the same consideration as those of my male counterparts. I doubted myself constantly.

But over time, I learned that the problem wasn’t with me—it was with the way the system was set up. It wasn’t that I didn’t have valuable input; it was that the environment wasn’t built to support diverse perspectives. And that’s something I had to unlearn, I belonged there, and so do you.

I had to build up my confidence, find mentors, and eventually, I became the voice advocating for more inclusion. And now, when I look around and see the women I’ve mentored thriving in their careers, I realise that we are all part of Ada’s legacy.

Why We Need More Women in Tech (and Why You’re Needed)

Here’s the thing about women in tech, we don’t just bring our skills, we bring our whole selves. We bring empathy, creativity, collaboration, and fresh perspectives that are desperately needed to solve today’s challenges.

Diversity isn’t just a nice to have; it’s essential for innovation. The products we create, the code we write, the systems we design, they all affect people’s lives in profound ways. We need women in the room to make sure that what we build serves everyone, not just a select few.

That’s why it’s so critical that more women, from different backgrounds and experiences, feel empowered to step into tech roles. We’re not just here to participate, we’re here to lead.

How We Can Keep Pushing Forward

If Ada Lovelace were alive today, I think she’d be amazed by how far we’ve come, but also probably a little frustrated by how much work still needs to be done. Here’s how we can keep pushing forward:

Challenge the Status Quo

Don’t settle for the way things are. If you’re the only woman in the room, speak up. Advocate for diversity in your workplace, in your teams, and in leadership. You’re not just doing it for yourself; you’re doing it for the next generation of women in tech.

Find Your Tribe

Tech can feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with women (and allies) who will lift you up. Whether it’s through mentorship programmes, women in tech networks, or online communities, find people who will encourage and support you.

Recognise Your Value

Don’t underestimate the unique value you bring to the table. Your perspective, your skills, your experiences, they matter. You don’t need to fit into some predefined tech mould; create your own.

Ada Lovelace showed us that anything is possible if we dare to imagine it.? Today, we honour her by daring to imagine a tech industry where women are not the exception but the rule. We honour her by pushing through the barriers, by taking up space, and by building the future we want to see.

So, if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, wondering if there’s a place for you in tech, let me tell you there is. You belong here. Ada belonged here. We all do.

Happy Ada Lovelace Day. Let’s keep building, dreaming, and creating together.

More power to you!