Ada Lovelace, a Computer Programmer Ahead of Her Time — mashable.com

In 1843, at age 27, the world's first computer programmer envisioned the future of computer technology as we know it — nearly a hundred years before the first computer was even invented. This week, Lovelace's legacy is celebrated with events around the world designed to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Ada "really embodies the struggles that women still go through," said Suw Charman-Anderson, a journalist and social software consultant who founded Ada Lovelace Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 14. "For me, the most important thing about Ada is that she really embodies the struggles that women still go through," she said.

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