Phenomenal Women in Science and Technology
Yeah, today is Ada Lovelace Day! And, that means that for almost 50 hours (think of the entire world), we are paying tribute to phenomenal women in science and technology! Quite frankly, it’s a real shame that we only focus on this topic for 50 hours because I’m sure the kudos could go on and on!
That said, I’d like to honor two women in science and technology! As a half African-American, half Puerto Rican woman in technology, I tried to find someone similar to me, but that seemed to be asking for just a bit too much 
So, I decided that I’d still honor my heritage and break it up into two extremely honorable mentions!
The first woman I would like to highlight is African-American Valerie Thomas! Valerie Thomas received a patent in 1980 for inventing an illusion transmitter. And why should you care?! Well, this “futuristic” invention extended the idea of TV to having 3D projections appear as though they were right in your living room! For any of you who were at CES or watched the movie Avatar, I’m sure you can understand the impact Valerie’s patent may have on our future media consumption and experiences. All I can say is that I am in complete awe of Valerie’s foresight, intelligence, curiosity and achievements!
Congratulations, Valerie, for being such a great visionary!
The second woman I’d like to celebrate is Puerto Rican Olga D. González-Sanabria! Olga played an instrumental role in the development of the “Long Cycle-Life Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries”, which helps enable the International Space Station power system. As someone who watches the ISS, whenever it flies over Vancouver, I am once again humbled by such an achievement! Muchas, muchas gracias, Olga, for your vision, intelligence and commitment to exploration, on so many fronts!!!
What I do find interesting is that both women spent most of their careers at NASA and excelled there. Hmmm…something to ponder!!
Clearly, we’ve come a long way, but we still have much further to go! I just read a New York Times article today stating that women continue to face cultural biases in science and math fields.
Nevertheless, please join me in truly honoring and celebrating Olga and Valerie (neither of whom, for the record, do I personally know 
) There are literally millions of women who have paved the paths and who inspire me to continue my journey! I am extremely grateful to all of you! Many Thanks and Muchas Gracias!!
