AnitaB.org isn’t just the name of our organization —it’s a nod to a legend. A fierce trailblazer, Anita Borg demanded change. Her vision was about more than women simply joining the tech game; it was about reshaping the entire playing field.

Every day, we live and breathe her mission. To truly understand the power behind our namesake, let’s pull back the curtain and dive into the story of the woman who sparked a movement that still shapes the future of tech today.

Who Was Anita Borg?

Anita Borg was a pioneer in tech, breaking and redefining age-old barriers. She envisioned and a world where women weren’t the exception in tech, but equal leaders and participants—and then worked to create it.

From her cutting-edge computing research to founding AnitaB.org and Grace Hopper Celebration, Anita’s life and legacy are testament to her commitment to equity and inclusion. Her achievements showcase how valuable her work was in making inclusive spaces in tech, and how that sentiment was picked up by others wanting the same.

The Early Years of Anita Borg

Anita Borg was born Anita Borg Naffz on January 17, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, and her early years were spent between Palatine, Illinois, Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Mukilteo, Washington. Despite her love for math, she didn’t originally envision herself in tech. It wasn’t until she got her first programming job in 1969 while working as a typist at a small insurance company that she discovered her true passion. Self-taught and unstoppable, Anita dove into the world of programming with a fierce determination to master it.

Her intellectual curiosity and drive pushed her to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science at New York University, where her groundbreaking research focused on the synchronization efficiency of operating systems. Under the guidance of renowned experts Robert Dewar and Gerald Belpaire, Anita developed an operating system for a massively parallel computer—foreshadowing the groundbreaking work she would go on to do in large-scale computing.

Anita Borg’s Groundbreaking Work in Tech

Anita’s career took off when she joined the tech mecca of innovation, Xerox PARC, but her journey to that point was already filled with impressive milestones. After earning her Ph.D., she spent four years building a fault-tolerant UNIX-based operating system for Auragen Systems and Nixdorf Computer in Germany. Her technical brilliance was undeniable—she even patented a method for generating complete address traces to analyze and design high-speed memory systems.

In 1986, she brought her talents to Digital Equipment Corporation, where she spent 12 years, most notably at the Western Research Lab. During her time there, she continued to innovate, developing MECCA, an email and web-based system designed to support virtual communities, well ahead of its time.

By the time she moved to Xerox PARC in 1997, Anita had already laid the groundwork for what would become her legacy: reshaping the tech world for women.

At Xerox, she doubled down on this mission, founding the Institute for Women and Technology (now AnitaB.org) and co-founding the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Anita was proud to tear down boundaries and build new paths for women and underrepresented groups in tech.

Systers and IWT: A Vision for Inclusion

Anita Borg was never one to stand by in the face of injustice. After attending the 1987 Symposium on Operating Systems Principles and witnessing the glaring absence of women, she took action. In a moment of inspiration, in the conference bathroom, she co-founded Systers, the first online community for women in computing. What began as a simple email list blossomed into a global network empowering women to share challenges, offer support, and uplift each other in a male-dominated industry.

Systers was and still is about connection as much as it is a movement. When Mattel released a Barbie doll that said, “Math class is tough,” the voices of Systers members played a crucial role in getting that phrase removed. Anita’s leadership turned Systers into a powerhouse of advocacy for women in tech.

Building on this momentum, she founded the Institute for Women and Technology (IWT) in 1997, now known as AnitaB.org. With a bold mission to ensure women weren’t just participants but leaders in tech, Anita knew that true innovation demanded diverse voices.

Anita Borg’s Vision of Equity and Inclusion

Anita Borg’s vision was bold: to see 50% representation of women in computing by 2020. This ambitious goal wasn’t just about numbers—it was about transforming the tech industry into a space where diverse voices could thrive. Anita understood that real innovation required the participation of everyone, and she worked tirelessly to create opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to lead.

Her efforts laid the groundwork for today’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the tech industry. From mentorship programs to advocacy for systemic change, Anita’s vision continues to inspire a global movement to make tech more inclusive and equitable.

The Founding of AnitaB.org and Grace Hopper Celebration

In 1994, Anita Borg, alongside Dr. Telle Whitney, founded Grace Hopper Celebration, inspired by Navy Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. Frustrated by the lack of female representation at tech conferences, they envisioned GHC as a space where women could enhance their technical skills and connect with one another. Today, it stands as the world’s largest annual gathering of women in tech, embodying Anita’s commitment to creating a vibrant community for women technologists.

In 1997, Anita established the Institute for Women and Technology (IWT), now known as AnitaB.org, on the Xerox PARC campus. The organization aimed to increase women’s representation in tech, foster innovation led by women, and ensure their voices shaped the future of technology. Through AnitaB.org and GHC, Anita’s vision for a more inclusive tech industry continues to thrive, providing invaluable support and opportunities for women and nonbinary technologists worldwide.

Following in Anita’s Footsteps

Anita Borg’s legacy endures through the ongoing efforts of AnitaB.org, which continues to champion her vision of equity and inclusion in tech. The organization’s work is a testament to Anita’s commitment to supporting women and nonbinary technologists, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and community they need to thrive.

The initiatives of AnitaB.org, including Grace Hopper Celebration, mentorship programs, and advocacy efforts, are crucial in fostering vibrant, inclusive communities in tech. These programs not only celebrate the achievements of women and nonbinary technologists but also drive systemic change within the industry.

These contributions have laid a strong foundation for advancing equity in tech spaces. Anita’s pioneering work has inspired a global movement, ensuring that her mission to create a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape continues to impact and empower new generations of technologists.

How We Can Honor Anita Borg

Anita Borg’s legacy pushes us to take action and keep driving the change she sparked. Here’s how you can help continue her mission:

1. Get Involved

Support initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in tech. Here are a few ways to start:

• Advocate for pay parity to close the gender wage gap in STEM.
• Stay informed and inspired—subscribe to , our weekly LinkedIn newsletter dedicated to tech equity and the gender gap.

2. Continue Anita’s Legacy

Advocate for diversity and inclusion in your own circles. Speak up, take action, and create spaces where underrepresented voices can thrive.

• Mentor or sponsor underrepresented technologists to help them grow their skills and advance their careers.
• Host inclusive tech meetups or events that bring diverse voices together to share experiences and opportunities.
• Push for equitable hiring practices in your workplace by advocating for diverse interview panels and inclusive job descriptions.

3. Be Like Anita Borg

Join our community by signing up for an AnitaB.org Membership. Help us advance our mission and create opportunities for women and nonbinary technologists shaping the future of tech.

Ready to make an impact? Register for Membership today!