Queens of Code: NSA’s Pioneering Women

Rendezvous Info
Thursday, November 12, 2026
12:00 PM ET
Online

Their work helped lay the foundation for many of the technologies that power the digital world today, even as they had to keep their work secret for over 50 years. They are the origin story for women in technology. They are the Queens of Code.

These women worked in information technology at the National Security Agency in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s and helped shape the early days of computing. The new book Queens of Code: Inspiring True Stories from NSA’s Computing Women, tells the stories of these trailblazing computing women at the forefront of innovation, contributing to groundbreaking advances in software development, big data processing, search capabilities, mainframe computing, microelectronics, cybersecurity and much more. Join us to hear from the author Eileen Buckholtz, a former Master Computer Scientist with the NSA; Maureen McHugh, whose 33-year career as a computer scientist and senior manager included serving as the senior liaison to the US Senate in the Legislative Affairs office; and Sherri Ramsay, former Director of the NSA/Central Security Service Threat Operations Center and a former Board of Directors member of the Armed Forces Communications Electronic Administration. 

Following the presentation, you’ll be able to ask questions via our online platform.

In collaboration with the Women’s Foreign Policy Group.

Auto-generated closed captioning will be available for this program when viewed online.

 


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