Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for First Years Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for First Years
Anita Borg believed that technology affects all aspects of our economic, political, social and personal lives. A technology rebel with a cause, in her life she fought tirelessly to ensure that technology's impact would be a positive one. It was this vision that inspired Anita in 1997 to found the Institute for Women and Technology. Today this organization continues on her legacy and bears her name, The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology (www.anitaborg.org).
Her capacity to mix technical expertise and a relentless vision inspired, motivated and moved women to embrace technology instead of avoiding or ignoring it. She has touched and changed the lives of countless women in the computing fields and beyond. She is responsible for including women in the technological revolution - not as bystanders, but as active participants and leaders. In 1987, prior to founding the Institute, Anita began an email online community called Systers which today has 3,000 members from all over the world. In 1994, Anita co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference. The Grace Hopper Celebration has grown to become the largest gathering of women in computing in the world. The Anita Borg Institute is the umbrella organization for both of these ongoing programs as well as the Virtual Development Center, TechLeaders and a host of other dynamic partnerships and collaborations that embrace Anita's ongoing vision.
During her life, Anita's commitment to her vision and expertise in the field gained her significant recognition. In 1999 President Clinton appointed her to the Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology. In 2002, she received the Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy, and Employment.
Born Anita Borg Naffz on January 17th, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, she grew up in Palatine, Illinois, Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Mukilteo, Washington. Anita found her way to a computer keyboard in her mid-20s. She received a Ph.D. in computer science from the Courant Institute at New York University in 1981. She then embarked on a brilliant research career for some of industry's commercial giants including, Nixdorf, Digital/Compaq's Western Research Lab and Xerox PARC.
Google is proud to honor Anita’s memory and support women in technology with the 2010 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Programs. Google hopes to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.
As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to furthering Anita’s vision, we are launching a new scholarship, the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for First Years. Google hopes to encourage aspiring female computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field by offering scholarship opportunities for incoming first years in computer science.
A group of female scholars will be chosen from the applicant pool, and scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s academic background, passion for computer science, community service and leadership.
Recipients of the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for First Years will each receive a $10,000 award for the 2010-2011 academic year. Scholars will also be invited to attend the Google FUSE networking retreat in Summer 2011.
Note: Scholarship Payment is contingent on the student attending a university with a Computer Science department, and taking at least one computer science course during their first year.
Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:
Applications will open shortly. Register your interest to receive more information about the the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for First Years once it launches.
If you have any questions, please email anitaborgscholars@google.com.
Google has been partnering with the Anita Borg Institute to provide scholarships for female computer science students since 2004. ABI provides resources and programs to help industry, academia, and government recruit, retain, and develop women leaders in high-tech fields, resulting in higher levels of technological innovation. ABI programs serve high-tech women by creating a community and providing tools to help them develop their careers. ABI is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 charitable organization.