The Value of Ada

I was lucky enough to represent ACM and ACM-W at the recent Ada Lovelace Symposium at Oxford University, celebrating her 200th birthday. I participated in a panel "Enchantress of Abstraction and Bride of Science: can women scientists escape being icons, role-models and heroines." Why do so many current organizations and events identify with and recognize Ada Lovelace? We are well into the 21st century; Ada was born 200 years ago. Why do so many women today seem to look to her as a model and icon?