Dame Stephanie Shirley

Software Pioneer.


In 1962 Dame Stephanie Shirley founded one of the UK's first software startups, dedicated to employing women software developers working part-time from home, this went on to be hugely successful.

In this film she shares her inspirational story. Produced by Google as part of a series of short films highlighting women's involvement in the early days of computing.

“Because of the sexism of the early 1960’s, I found that signing my business development letters ensured I got no response at all. As soon as I started to sign them as ‘Steve’ things began to take off ”

Dame Stephanie Shirley: Freelance Programmer

Teaching Point: Why did Stephanie not make any progress until she presented herself as a man?