I sat down to start this post and it really got me thinking about the women in technology that have influenced me. There are a few professors who inspired me and encouraged me. Dr. Chen and Dr. Cohen both for different reasons but both impacted my life and probably believed in me even when I didn't. I can think of a number of women at Google who were amazing and definitely influenced my life. Unfortuntaly there are too many to mention here, I'm afraid I would leave someone out and hurt their feelings. There are the celebrity women in computing that I'm sure in some way had an effect on me. Frances E. Allen, Anita Borg, or Grace Hopper are all amazing role models. (Kinda in the same way Knuth has actually effected my life) When it came down to it, I wanted to pick someone who has recently influenced me in a positive way. I have never actually talked to her in person, but I have attended one of her lectures.
Dr. Ann Cavoukian is the Ontario information and privacy commissioner and has put forth a number of unique privacy enhancing technologies that actually enhance lives. Last fall she gave an amazing talk here at the U of Waterloo encouraging us that privacy and security are not opposing forces, that they can work together to benefit the lives of many. She has a very pratical and realistic view on new technology and is very aware of how tech can influence society. She has inspired me to strive for better privacy protection and awareness even when the issue may seem small. Her motto was essentially "Don't tell me it can't be done."
I admire her.
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