As businesses strive to build more diverse and inclusive cultures, one powerful enabler stands out: modern communication tools.

Communication technologies have evolved far beyond simple connectivity. Today’s tools set the stage for equitable, accessible, and collaborative work environments. They break down barriers and create new opportunities for connection and understanding among increasingly diverse teams.

Let’s explore how communication tools are playing a vital role in fostering inclusive workplaces—and what organizations can do to unlock their full potential.

1. Equal Access to Information

At the foundation of any inclusive workplace is equal access to information. When everyone has the same access to updates, resources, and decision-making processes, a culture of fairness and transparency takes root.

Modern platforms like cloud-based UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) ensure that no one is left behind. These systems consolidate communication channels—chat, voice, video, file sharing—into a single, accessible interface. Employees can view meeting recordings, catch up on project updates, and collaborate in real time, whether they’re in the office, working from home, or on the go.

Example: A centralized messaging and file-sharing platform ensures that remote or hybrid employees aren’t left out of critical conversations or decisions just because they weren’t physically present.

2. Breaking Down Language Barriers

As teams become more global and multicultural, language diversity can present both a challenge and a powerful opportunity. The right communication tools turn these potential gaps into bridges by supporting real-time translation, multilingual interfaces, and live captioning.

These features make conversations more inclusive for non-native speakers and support team members with hearing impairments or different communication needs.

Pro Tip: Invest in platforms that offer live transcription, closed captioning, and multi-language support to foster clearer communication and an inclusive workplace.

3. Catering to Different Communication Styles

Inclusion isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially when it comes to communication. Some team members prefer video calls and face-to-face interaction, while others feel more comfortable expressing themselves in writing or with visuals.

By offering a variety of communication methods—video conferencing, instant messaging, email integrations, virtual whiteboards—organizations can support team members in engaging in the ways that work best for them.

Check out this article for more communication avenues and how to use them.

4. Supporting Neurodiversity and Accessibility

Inclusive communication tools are designed with accessibility and neurodiversity in mind. Features like screen readers, adjustable font sizes, dark mode, and keyboard navigation help ensure that employees with visual, auditory, or cognitive differences can fully engage with digital content.

Tools that prioritize universal design not only support compliance but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to building an inclusive culture.

Pro Tip: Choose vendors that build accessibility into their core design—not just as an afterthought.

5. Creating Psychological Safety

Inclusion is about more than visibility—it’s about feeling safe to speak up. Psychological safety, or the ability to express oneself without fear of embarrassment or backlash, is essential for inclusive workplaces.

Communication platforms can help create this safety through features like anonymous surveys, private messaging, and moderated discussion spaces. These tools give quieter voices a chance to be heard and create channels for constructive feedback and dialogue.

Example: Anonymous feedback tools allow employees to share insights or raise concerns without fear of retribution—helping leaders stay connected to the needs of their teams.

6. Encouraging Cross-Boundary Collaboration

Modern communication platforms eliminate the physical and departmental silos that once limited collaboration. By connecting people across time zones, teams, and cultures, they help organizations tap into a wider range of perspectives.

This interconnectivity leads to more innovative problem-solving, better decision-making, and stronger team cohesion.

Final Thoughts

Inclusive workplaces don’t happen by accident—they’re intentionally built through thoughtful design, empathetic leadership, and, increasingly, the right technology.

Modern communication tools provide the foundation for accessibility, equity, and meaningful engagement. Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, investing in inclusive communication solutions isn’t just a moral obligation—it’s a strategic advantage.

When every voice is valued and every team member is empowered to contribute, your organization becomes stronger, more resilient, and better equipped for long-term success.

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Despite being one of the most innovative and forward-thinking sectors globally, the tech industry has struggled with issues of diversity and inclusion, creating barriers for minority groups to enter and thrive within the field.

A number of diversity initiatives aimed at LGBTQ+ identifying individuals within the tech sector are trying to change this. Groups like Out in Tech, StartOut, and Who Tech have worked to improve office culture for members of the LGBTQ+ community and make resources more readily accessible to the global LGBTQ+ community.

In this blog, we highlight five trailblazing LGBTQ+ innovators. These individuals have not only achieved extraordinary success in their careers but have also championed diversity and inclusion, paving the way for future generations.

By spotlighting their stories and achievements, we aim to underscore the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can thrive and contribute their unique talents. In an industry that thrives on new ideas and fresh perspectives, embracing LGBTQ+ diversity is not just a matter of equity but a strategic imperative that drives innovation and excellence. Join us as we celebrate these inspiring leaders and explore the transformative power of diversity in tech.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

Tim Cook isn’t only one of the most powerful LGBTQ+ people in tech — he’s arguably one of the most powerful people in tech, period. Cook was named Apple’s CEO in August 2011, and previously served as the company’s chief operating officer. Cook came out publicly as gay in 2014 in a personal essay for Bloomberg Businessweek. He said that while he wanted to continue to keep his private life to himself, he felt an “increasing sense of duty” to come out as his way to help the gay community.

“[Being gay] has been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry,” he wrote in his essay. “It’s also given me the skin of a rhinoceros, which comes in handy when you’re the CEO of Apple.”

Megan Smith, Former Chief Technology Officer of the United States

Megan Smith was appointed in 2014 under President Obama as the first-ever female US CTO. Before that, she was a VP at Google, where she helped launch the company’s Solve For X and Women Techmakers initiatives. She’s also previously served as CEO of LGBTQ+ online media company Planet Out. After leaving the White House in 2017, Smith helped the Tech Jobs Tour to bring diverse talent into the tech sector. Smith is also the Founder and CEO of shift7, a collective focused on bringing together figures in tech and public service.

Ana Arriola, Partner and Product Designer at Microsoft

Arriola’s official title at Microsoft is currently a Partner and General Manager for the company’s work in artificial intelligence and research, and for its Bing search engine. Since July 2018, she’s worked on human-centric and ethical design of products.

Previously, Arriola has worked on product design in executive positions at Facebook, Samsung, and Sony. She also worked at the Biotech company Theranos as Chief Design Architect. Arriola went through her full biological transition in the last few years. In a 2016 interview before she transitioned, Arriola said the biggest reason she hadn’t done so yet was “fear for my 26-year career and financial implications for my family’s future.”

“Don’t be told how or what you should be doing in your life,” Arriola said at a conference in 2016. “You define it yourself.”

Lynn Conway, Chip Designer at IBM

Lynn Conway is one of the most renowned engineers of supercomputers and microchip design. Her innovations during the 1970s at the XeroxPalo Alto Research Centre have impacted chip design worldwide, with many of today’s Big Tech firms having foundations in her work. At IBM, she invented a powerful method for issuing multiple out-of-order instructions in supercomputers. This solved the challenge of the fundamental computer architecture problem, making it possible to create the first true superscalar computer.

Conway’s notable role at IBM was kept secret for many years due to her transgender identity. IBM fired Conway when she began transitioning while employed at the firm, forcing her to go “stealth” and start her life again as Lynn. Lynn quickly rose to prominence when the Department of Defense began using her work on secret projects. She would later come out publicly as transgender in the early 2000s. Since then, she has become a powerful advocate for the trans community.

“When I made the decision to have a gender correction, everybody told me I was terrible, I was going to end up dead or in an asylum someplace,” Conway. told ABC News in an interview. “But they were wrong. I’ve had a great life, I’m very happy, and I’ve managed to do some productive, important work.”

Chris Hughes, Co-Founder of Facebook

Alongside Mark Zuckerberg, Chris Hughes is one of the four co-founders of Facebook. He acted as a key driver in developing many of the site’s popular features, such as it being open to the outside world beyond educational institutions. After leaving Facebook in 2007, Hughes was appointed as one of the 17 people in the UNAIDS High-Level Commission, highlighting support for more effective prevention programs.

In 2019, Hughes criticized Facebook, as well as its co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, for allowing politicians to run campaign ads with blatant mistruths. “By deciding to allow outright lies in political ads to travel on Facebook, is embracing the philosophy behind Trumpism and thereby tipping the scales,” he said in a Tweet. Today, Hughes is the co-chair of a financial stability initiative called the Economic Security Project. He has been married to Sean Eldridge since 2012, the former political director for the same- marriage advocacy group Freedom to Marry.

As we celebrate Pride Month, it is essential to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in the tech industry. The stories of Tim Cook, Megan Smith, Ana Arriola, Lynn Conway, and Chris Hughes serve as powerful reminders of the transformative impact that diversity and inclusion bring to innovation. By fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute their unique perspectives, the tech industry can continue to drive progress and create solutions that benefit all. Let us embrace and champion LGBTQ+ diversity, not only during Pride Month but every day, as we strive for a more equitable and innovative future.

The post 5 LGBTQ+ Innovators Who Have Transformed the Tech Industry appeared first on CallHarbor.

Part of the mission for this day is to elevate and advance gender equality in technology and celebrate the women driving innovation. This year, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our very own women in tech here at CallHarbor.

Our colleagues share their stories on how they got into tech and their insights on being in this historically male-dominated industry. If you’re seeking inspiration, motivation, and connection on the path toward a more inclusive world and want to learn more about the field of technology, feel free to delve into the following information.

Jumping into the interview

Tell us a little bit about yourself – name, position, how many years in tech?

Payton Kilgore: My name is Payton Kilgore and I am a sales and marketing associate here at CallHarbor and I have been working in tech for 6 months. 

Anna Kubit: Hi! My name is Anna Kubit, and I’m an onboarding technician here at CallHarbor. This is my third year working in tech.

Bailey Terrell: Hi, I’m Bailey Terrell – Channel Sales & Marketing Director at CallHarbor. I’ve been in tech for 4 years this month!

How did you become interested/introduced to VoIP?

Payton: I had worked in a call center for three years while I was in college getting my Bachelors of Communications, when I started looking for jobs where I would be able to apply my education I found CallHarbor and found out I could use both my education and my call center experience to help businesses and companies find the best solution for their communication needs. 

Anna: I’ll be honest – I actually had no clue what VoIP was before I applied to CallHarbor!

Bailey: VoIP was not something I specifically knew about or found an interest in until I worked for CallHarbor. When I applied for the job with CallHarbor and began exploring the world of VoIP, I knew I’d end up getting immersed in it. I’ve always found a passion in being in an industry that is everchanging and keeps me wanting to learn more. From having jobs in the automotive and law industries, I also became passionate about taking a topic that can be complicated for someone that isn’t educated about it, and helping them understand it.

What is the best part about being a woman in tech?

Payton: Although I have not been in the industry long, I have been welcomed with open arms by so many supportive and kind women that have been teaching me and helping me navigate this industry. These women have been the best part of being a women in tech because I know there is a strong group supporting me and rooting for my success. 

Anna: I think the best part of being woman in tech is the built-in community. I’m so grateful to all the women who have mentored me.

Bailey: The best part about being a woman in tech is the community that comes along with it. When I entered the tech field, I felt that I was only working with men and was always surrounded by men. While I still felt that I could excel in my career this way, I knew I wanted to seek out the comradery of other women in the industry. I became part of the Alliance of Channel Women, and began to build relationships with other women in the industry. Being a woman in tech is not always easy, but being surrounded by other amazing, strong women in the industry is inspiring and invigorating. I’ve recognized that the ability of women to create a network of support and share information plays a critical role in elevating our presence in the tech industry. Through cultivating strong networks with peers, mentors, and sponsors, women can build supportive relationships that foster collaboration, innovation, and success in the industry – and that is the best part about being a woman in tech.

What is it like working as a woman in the tech world?

Payton: It’s fun! There are so many people in this field that have welcomed me with open arms and have helped me get settled!

Anna: Working as a woman in the tech industry is empowering. Actively networking and building a supportive community with fellow women has been so important.

Bailey: Working as a woman in the tech world is challenging but extremely rewarding. Once you have a solid support system, it becomes easier to find your voice and continue to challenge yourself. Being a woman in tech is fun and exciting, and there are amazing men & women to meet and network with.

What do you see for the future of women in tech?

Payton: I see more women entering the field of technology. This field is forever changing and I think that many more women and young girls are being educated about technology and are looking to join the field. 

Anna: I hope more women will join the field!  I think as more young girls and women see themselves represented, they’ll be more likely to pursue a career in tech.

Bailey: I believe that the future for women in tech is bright. I was reading the 2023 Women in the Workplace report by Lean In & McKinsey’s, which is both encouraging and frustrating. Over the last several years, there have been sizable gains for women in senior leadership, which is a huge and very important step in the right direction, and shows what companies can accomplish when they focus their efforts on a well-understood problem. Though there is still lagging progress in the middle of the pipeline—and a persistent underrepresentation of women of color—the report proves that companies are taking DEI more seriously and spending the time and money to help women excel in their career. I think this direction is only going to strengthen and continue to develop in the future, especially with the organization and groups that have grown in the recent years to help women in the tech industry.

What can organizations and individuals do to create a more inclusive and diverse tech workforce?

Payton: I think that the best thing that organizations and individuals can do to create more inclusive and diverse workplaces is first educating themselves, and determining any biases they may have in hiring and promotions. They can then work to look into company culture and dismantle any bias or issues they may be facing internally to create a more inclusive workplace.

Anna: I would say they can educate themselves on issues women and minorities face in the tech field, and then make a plan to support their staff in those areas.

Bailey: Companies can focus on combatting bias in hiring and promotions and empower employees to challenge bias when they see it. Above this, companies can look to create programs internally or spend funds externally to focus on development & mentorship for women in tech.

What advice do you have for women who are considering a career in tech?

Payton: Go for it! The worst that can happen is someone says no, but one no should not stop you. This field is expansive and you will find your home and the best fit for you!

Anna: Seek out women willing to mentor you.

Bailey: Do it, and don’t be afraid of it! My biggest piece of advice is to find your voice early and force yourself outside of your comfort zone. Beautiful things happen when you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and as I stated in one of my other answers, being a woman in tech is challenging but oh so rewarding. Find your people and advocate for yourself. If you can, choose a job that has a boss/manager that supports you and wants the best for your career path—that is a huge part of why I feel so supported and have been able to find such success in the industry.

There is significant speculation surrounding the potential disruptive impact of AI technology on our current societal landscape, particularly regarding the automation of programming and coding tasks. What’s your opinion on this?

Payton: I think the speculation surrounding the disruptive impact of AI is understandable, it’s an unknown and it is okay to be weary of the unknown. The positives of AI I think will actually help the humans in our field maintain workloads, and provide the best information possible for the public.

Anna: I am not too worried about AI taking tech jobs, especially for technical support. There will always be people who need help using technology!

Bailey: I think that embracing AI as a tool to augment or complement human capabilities, rather than replace them, can lead to more inclusive and sustainable technological advancements. On one hand, AI-driven automation can expedite certain coding tasks, freeing up human developers to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of software development. On another hand, the adoption of AI in coding raises questions about job displacement and the need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives to ensure that individuals in the field can adapt to evolving technological landscapes. It will be interesting to see where AI in the tech field takes us!

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The Mastermind Behind the VoIP We Know Today

In 1982, Engineer Dr. Marian Rogers Croak began her career at Bell Labs (later AT&T) with a position in the Human Factors research division, looking at how technology could be used to positively impact people’s lives. She then went on to work on network engineering, where she contemplated the potential of digital telecommunications. Rather than use a traditional phone line for voice communication along with a digital method for internet data, she and her team thought both could be done digitally with the internet. Therefore, they focused on enabling voice traffic that could be both reliable and of high quality. Today, the widespread use of VoIP technology is vital for remote work and conferencing, as well as personal communications.

During her time at AT&T she patented the technology that allowed cellphone users to donate money to organizations using text messaging. She developed this technology during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and it revolutionized how people donate to charitable organizations when a natural disaster occurs. She received the 2013 Thomas Edison Patent Award for this technology. She was inspired to do this after seeing AT&T develop technology that helped American Idol set up a voting system that relied on text messages rather than voice calls, in 2003. The technology that she created with co-inventor Hossein Eslambolchi, was not finalized until October 2005, a couple of months after Hurricane Katrina. But through this technology after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, more than $43 million in donations were collected by relief organizations through donations by text message.

After 32 years at AT&T, Croak joined Google in 2014 to spearhead efforts to expand what the internet is capable of around the world. She led a team that brought broadband to developing countries in Asia and Africa, building, for example, public wi-fi in railroad stations in India.

In 2022, she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame — among the highest honors for inventors, including Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and the Wright brothers.

Croak became one of first two Black women to receive that honor, alongside the late Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist who created a device used during surgery to easily remove cataracts. (Of the Hall of Fame’s 610 inductees, just 48 of them are women and 30 are Black, according to Rini Paiva, executive vice president for selection and recognition at the NIHF.)

As one of the first-ever Black women to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Croak recognizes the importance of diversity in a historically homogenous industry. “I find that it inspires people when they see someone who looks like themselves on some dimension, and I’m proud to offer that type of representation,” Croak said in her interview with Google. “I want people to understand that it may be difficult but that they can overcome obstacles and that it will be so worth it.”

Sources:
Han, Y. (n.d.). Marian Croak, who has 200 patents to her name including the technology behind Zoom, became one of the first black women to be inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/marian-croak-black-inventor-hall-of-fame-technology-internet-voip-2023-3#:~:text=Marian%20Croak%2C%20who%20has%20200,the%20Inventors%20Hall%20of%20Fame

Jbkatz. (2023, January 5). Croak, dr Marian Rogers – inventor of VoIP. Amazing Black History. https://amazingblackhistory.com/2023/01/05/croak-dr-marian-rogers-inventor-of-voip/#:~:text=Marian%20Rogers%20Croak%2C%20one%20of,with%20more%20than%20200%

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There have been many that pave the way and many in modern day who continue to be a face and voice of change ushering in a new era for minorities of all colors in all industries. Speaking for inclusion and lifting voices that were not always listened to or respected. These new people are stepping into powerful roles and being role models themselves for what should be done when given the spotlight instead of straying away and continuing to let prejudice win.

Some of those voices include:

Erica Baker – Erica Baker is a Senior Engineering Manager at Microsoft and a diversity and inclusion advocate. She is a frequent speaker at tech conferences and events and is passionate about creating a more inclusive tech industry.

Van Jones – Van Jones is a CNN commentator, best-selling author, and co-founder of the Rebuild the Dream movement. He is also the CEO of the Dream Corps, a social justice accelerator that works to create a more equitable and inclusive future.

Mayka Rosales-Peterson – Mayka Rosales Peterson is Senior Manager, Partner Marketing at Intelisys, an Alliance of Channel Women Alliance board member, and a member of the Board of Directors Board of Directors Xposure Inclusion & Diversity Council. She also works on the Board of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for Channel Futures and was recently listed as one of the most 100 most influential Women in the Channel.

Arlan Hamilton – Arlan Hamilton is the founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, a venture capital firm focused on investing in underrepresented founders. She is a pioneer in the tech industry and a powerful voice for diversity and inclusion.

These black leaders are not only leaders in their industries but in ways of inclusion and diversity. Incorporating difference and diversity into the work place is so important to the future success of black people and all minorities within any industry. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace can produce better decision making, increased innovation, improved employee engagement and enhance your companies overall reputation. It is important to remember for companies to be inclusive as the ideas of Black people could be the new realities of tomorrow. Coming together for the better of all humans and collaborating on our future as a whole.

Some tips for nurturing inclusion and diversity in the workplace:

1. Be proactive: Don’t wait for diverse candidates to come to you. Reach out to underrepresented communities, attend diversity and inclusion events, and partner with organizations that support diversity in tech.
   
2. Review your job postings: Ensure that your job postings are inclusive and welcoming to all. Avoid language that may be biased or exclusive, and consider using gender-neutral language.
   
3. Assess your hiring process: Ensure that your hiring process is fair and impartial. Consider using objective criteria, such as skills tests, to assess candidates, rather than relying on subjective factors, such as interviews.
   
4. Invest in diversity and inclusion training: Ensure that your employees are equipped to work in a diverse and inclusive environment. Offer diversity and inclusion training to all employees, including managers and leaders.

Celebrating and lifting up Black leaders is important today and will continue to be essential in the growth and productivity in tomorrows tech industry.

Sources:

SHRM.org

Forbes.com

The post Diversity and Inclusion in 2023 and Beyond appeared first on CallHarbor.

Let’s take a look at some of the women who have made a profound impact in the field of technology. Whether it was in the 1800s or the 21st century, we certainly would not be where we are today in terms of technology if it weren’t for these women.

Ada Lovelace (1815-1852): Distinguished Mathematician

Ada Lovelace is known as the world’s first computer programmer. Born in London, Ada was homeschooled by her mother and had several tutors. Her mother insisted that she was taught science and mathematics.

Lovelace’s mathematical talent shone through in her early life. Her skills and interests in machines lead to a working relationship with Charles Babbage. Babbage is the inventor of the “Analytical Engine.” This invention consisted of complicated device that was never actually created, but resembled the elements of a modern computer. (1)

Lovelace has been referred to as the very first programmer. This is because she had written notes that explained how the notion of a specific engine could transition calculation to computation. It was Lovelace’s notes on the Analytical Engine that Alan Turing used as a form of inspiration for his work on the first modern computer in the 1940s.

Grace Hopper (1902-1992): Acclaimed Computer Scientist

Grace Hopper was born in New York and attended Yale University in 1930 where she received a PH. D in mathematics. In 1943, she joined the Naval Reserve and retired in 1966. During the years as a Naval Reserve, Grace joined the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corp. This was where she designed a compiler which translated programmer’s instructions into computer codes. (2)

In 1957, Hopper’s division developed the first English language data processing compiler. After retiring from the Naval Reserve, she was recalled helping standardize the navy’s computer languages. Her work led to the development of COBOL, an early programming language that is still used to this day. In 1947, she recorded the worlds first ever real computer bug.

At the age of 79, she was known as the oldest officer in the navy before she retired in 1986. She has been given several awards. One of them was awarded by Barack Obama as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. It is said that she coined the phrase: “it is often easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”

Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000): The Inventor of WiFi

Hedy Lamarr was a self-taught inventor and film actress. She was awarded a patent in 1942 for her “secret communication system”, designed with the help of the composer George Antheil. This frequency hopping system was intended as a way to set radio-guided torpedos off course during the war. The idea eventually inspired Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth technology commonly used today. (1)

In 1997, Lamarr received the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award and the Bulbie Gnass Spirit of Achievement Bronze Award. These awards are given to individuals whose creative lifetime achievements in the arts, sciences, business, or invention fields have significantly contributed to society.

Without Lamarr’s innovative ideas and patent, we might not have the same WiFi and GPS technology that we have today. And let’s face it, we’d all be lost without our GPS (literally!).

Annie Easley (1933-2011): NASA Rocket Scientist

Easley was born in Birmingham, Alabama and attended Xavier University. Shortly after finishing her degree, she landed a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). She was one of only four African Americans who worked there. Check out our other blog post, “Black Innovators in Technology” to read about more influential Black inventors.

Easley developed and implemented a specific type of code which led to the development of the battery’s used in hybrid cars today. Additionally, she was also a rocket scientist – literally. Easley’s vital work on the Centaur rocket project while at NASA laid the foundations for space shuttle launches in the future. 

She is most well-known for being one of the famous women in technology for encouraging women and people of color to study and enter STEM fields.

 Mary Wilkes (1937-Present): The First Home Computer User

Wilkes was born in Chicago and graduated from Wellesley College in 1959 where she majored in philosophy and theology. Wilkes initially planned on becoming a lawyer; however, she was discouraged by friends and mentors because of the challenges women faced in the law field.

One of Wilkes’ 8th grade teachers actually told her, “Mary Allen, when you grow up, you ought to be a computer programmer.” She worked in the field as one of the first programmers for a number of years before pursuing law and becoming an attorney in 1975.

She is recognized in the field of computer science for creating the design of the interactive operating system LAP6 for the LINC. This design creation was one of the earliest such systems for a personal computer. She is also known for being the first person to use a personal computer in the home. (3)

Radia Perlman (1951-Present): Mother of the Internet

Radia Perlman is an American computer programmer and network engineer. She is is most famous for her invention of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). STP is fundamental to the operation of network bridges. In other words, her work has had a profound impact on how networks self-organize and move data. (5)

As an undergraduate at MIT, Perlman learned programming for a physics class. She was one among the only 50 or so women students, in a class of about 1,000 students. In 1971, he was given her first paid job as part-time programmer for the LOGO Lab at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. This was were she starting programming system software such as debuggers.

When Perlman was at MIT, there was only one women’s dorm. This limited the number of women students that could study there. When the men’s dorms at MIT became co-ed, Perlman moved out of the women’s dorm into a mixed dorm, where she became the “resident female”. She later said that she was so used to the gender imbalance, that it became normal. (4)

Marian R. Croak (1955-Present): VoIP Inventor

Marian R. Croak is the inventor of Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP enables us to use our internet network for voice and multimedia communications. As long as you have an internet connection, you can make a call or video chat because of this technology. This includes video conferencing and virtual meetings, so we know the impact it has had on the way we work and communicate.

Marian has had an impressive career in the technology industry. She has over 200 patents in her name. Many of these patents are integral to the internet technologies we use daily. She was an advocate early on for making the switch from wired phone technologies to internet services, and she has been a pioneer and forward thinker throughout her career.

Furthermore, Marian also pioneered the use of phone network services to enable the public to easily donate to humanitarian causes. Currently, Marian is working in research and development at Google. 

A Profound Impact

It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of daily life. This month is an perfect opportunity to put a spotlight on all of the major things women accomplish each and every day. All of the women listed above have had a crucial role in our current technology, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.

Sources:

(1) https://www.globalapptesting.com/blog/the-women-who-changed-the-tech-world

(2) https://www.womenintech.co.uk/10-famous-women-technology-changed-world

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Allen_Wilkes#Notability

(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radia_Perlman

(5) https://www.internethalloffame.org/inductees/radia-perlman

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Lewis Latimer (1848 – 1928)

Early Life

African American impact on telecommunications is documented as early as 1876, when Lewis Latimer—a draftsman, inventor, and author—worked closely with Alexander Graham Bell to patent the telephone.

However, before Latimer started working as an inventor, he encountered many difficulties during his childhood. Before Lewis was even born, his mother and father escaped from slavery in Virginia and fled to Chelsea, Massachusetts. When Latimer was 10, his mother decided to split the family after the a court case ruled that individual slaves needed to prove they had the consent of their owner in order to legally become free. This caused Lewis’s father, George Latimer, to flee for his family’s safety. He had nothing to prove he was free from enslavement. So, he fled in order to protect his family.

Lewis Latimer joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 15 in 1863. He was honorably discharged in 1865. At this point, he started working as an office boy with a patent law firm. His salary was only $3.00 per week. He learned how to use a set square, ruler, and other drafting tools during his employment, which would later lead him to help draft the drawings that Alexander Graham Bell used to patent the first telephone in 1876 (1). 

Inventions and Patents

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell employed Latimer, who by then had been promoted to a draftsman at the patent law firm. He was hired to draft up the necessary drawings required to receive a patent for Bell’s telephone. In 1884, he was invited to work with Thomas Edison.

Latimer also received a patent for the “Electric Lamp“, an improved design for producing light using electricity, and another in 1882, for the “Process of Manufacturing Carbons“, an improved method for the production of carbon filaments for light bulbs. 

All in all, Latimer obtained seven patents for all of his work and designs, along with writing four published books. In school, we usually only learn about Alexander Graham Bell in history textbooks. It’s clear to see that without Latimer’s contributions, Bell’s work would lack the basic drawn-out designs of his invention. This could have possibly caused him to never create the finished product we now know as the telephone.

Granville T. Woods (1856 – 1910)

Early Life

Another prominent innovator in the creation of the first telephone technology is Granville T. Woods. Woods, born to free African Americans, was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1856. He didn’t receive much schooling or education as a young man. In his early teen years, he took up a plethora of jobs. He was a railroad engineer, an engineer on a British ship, in a steel mill, and a railroad worker.

From 1876 to 1878, Woods lived in New York City. He took courses in engineering and electricity – a subject that he realized, early on, was the key to the future.

Woods held various engineering and industrial jobs before establishing a company to create electrical apparatus. Also known as “Black Edison,” he registered nearly 60 patents in his lifetime, including a telephone transmitter, a trolley wheel and the multiplex telegraph (2).

Inventions

Wood’s most important invention was the induction telegraph in 1887. This development allowed people to communicate by voice over telegraph wires. This was a step up from only being able to communicate via morse code, which not everyone knew. It ultimately helped to speed up important communications and, subsequently, prevented crucial errors such as train accidents. Woods was often overlooked in comparison to others developing new technologies at the time. This included Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, both of whom we all know about from history classes.

The patent for Woods’ induction telegraph was bought by Alexander Graham Bell, who is most commonly credited as the inventor of the telephone. Woods was essential to the telephone’s development. Woods was also challenged by Thomas Edison (the inventor credited with the invention of the lightbulb) who took legal action against Woods to claim that the patent should belong to him. 

James Edward West (1931 – present)

More than 90% of the microphones today, including those in phones and cameras, use technology co-invented by Dr. James E. West. The large majority of the microphones used in cellphones today can be credited to this genius inventor. With Gerhard M. Sessler, West created the Electroacoustic Transducer/Electret Microphone. These compact and cost effective microphones gained a patent in 1964. Since then, West has gone on to patent more than 40 inventions in the U.S. and many more internationally. They are mostly related to acoustics and electrical engineering. His total number of patents is more than 250.

In addition to his multiple contributions to acoustical science, West has been a devout advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the fields of science and technology. While at Bell Laboratories, West co-founded the Association of Black Laboratory Employees (ABLE), an organization formed to “address placement and promotional concerns of Black Bell Laboratories employees.” (3)

Henry Sampson (1934 – 2015)

Henry Sampson is another groundbreaking innovator in the wireless industry. In 1967, he was the first African American in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering. He received this degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Using his degree in nuclear engineering, Henry patented the Gamma-Electric cell in the 1970s. This made it possible to send and receive audio signals wirelessly through radio waves. Without this revelation, we would not have the cellphone we know and love today. Additionally, the patent cites the cell’s function as a detector with self-power and construction cost advantages over previous detectors (4).

Sampson largely contributed to the present-day world of phones, and also won many awards in the industry. These include the United States Atomic Energy Commission Award for excellent service from the U.S. Naval Weapons Center from 1964 to 1967.

Jesse Russell (1948 – present)

Jesse E. Russell is another paramount figure who has played a fundamental role in the invention of modern cell phones. He has patented dozens of different innovations. This includes the base station technology that transmits radio wave signals to and from mobile devices. (5)

Russell was a top honor student at Tennessee State University in the School of Engineering. He became the first African American to be hired directly from a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) institution by AT&T Bell Laboratories. In 1973, Russell obtained his Master of Electrical Engineering degree from Stanford University. He ended up working in the field of wireless communication for over 20 years.

Russell has helped shape the wireless communications industry through his leadership skills, and fresh perspectives for technological standards and new wireless service concepts. His innovations in wireless communication systems, architectures and technology related to radio access networks, end-user devices and in-building wireless communications systems have fundamentally changed the wireless communications industry. (5)

Furthermore, he pioneered the field of digital cellular communications in the 1980s through the use of high-power linear amplification and low bit-rate voice encoding technologies. He later received a patent in 1992 for his work in the area of digital cellular base station design. (5)

Marian R. Croak (1955 – present)

Marian R. Croak is the inventor of Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP enables us to use our internet network for voice and multimedia communications. As long as you have an internet connection, you can make a call or video chat because of this technology. Many of us have been using this technology more frequently over the last year or two. This includes video conferencing and virtual meetings, so we know the impact it has had on the way we work and communicate.

Marian has had an impressive career in the technology industry. She has over 200 patents in her name, many of which are integral to the internet technologies we use daily. She was an advocate early on for making the switch from wired phone technologies to internet services, and she has been a pioneer and forward thinker throughout her career. Marian also pioneered the use of phone network services to enable the public to easily donate to humanitarian causes. Currently, Marian is working in research and development at Google. (6)

Today and every day, we are indebted to all of these innovators’ groundbreaking visions. They’ve all made great contributions to American connectivity and communications. The wireless industry would not be thriving the way it is today if it weren’t for these innovators. We may take all of these inventions for granted and hardly think twice when using our phones these days. It’s important to keep in mind where the technology came from and who got it all started for us. The world is a totally different place thanks to these creations. We owe a lot to the genius Black minds who constructed and manufactured them.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Howard_Latimer#Early_life_and_family
2. https://www.biography.com/inventor/granville-t-woods
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Edward_Maceo_West
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_T._Sampson
5. https://connectednation.org/blog/2019/02/26/black-history-maker-in-technology-jesse-russell/
6. https://digital-leaders.childnet.com/black-inventors-and-pioneers-who-have-influenced-the-way-we-use-the-internet-and-technology-today/
7. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

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