The 2009 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship The 2009 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
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.
Dr. Anita Borg devoted her adult life to revolutionizing the way we think about technology and dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Her combination of technical expertise and fearless vision continues to inspire and motivate countless women to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.
In her honor, Google is proud to honor Anita’s memory and support women in technology with the 2009 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship. Google hopes to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.
Google Anita Borg Scholarship recipients will each receive a $10,000 award for the 2009-2010 academic year; Finalists will each receive a $1,000 award. A group of female undergraduate and graduate students will be chosen from the applicant pool, and scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s academic background and demonstrated leadership. All scholarship recipients and finalists will be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars’ Retreat in Mountain View, California on June 25-27, 2009.
We know how important a supportive peer network can be for a student’s success. All Google scholarship recipients and finalists will be invited to visit Google headquarters in Mountain View, California for the 2009 Google Scholars’ Retreat. The retreat will include workshops, speakers, panelists, breakout sessions and social activities scheduled over a 3-day period. Students will have the opportunity to explore the Googleplex and enjoy San Francisco as they get to know other talented computer science students from across the country. The Anita Borg Scholars and Finalists will be joined by the Google United Negro College Fund Scholars, the Google Hispanic College Fund Scholars, and the Google American Indian Science & Engineering Society Scholars.
The 2009 Google Scholars’ Retreat is tentatively planned for June 25-27, 2009.
Applicants must satisfy all of the following criteria to be eligible:
Citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply. Past applicants and finalists are also encouraged to re-apply. If you have any questions, please email anitaborgscholars@google.com.
The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship is a global program. If you are a student who will not be enrolled at a university in the United States for the 2009-2010 academic year, please visit the Google Scholarships Homepage to learn more about our scholarship opportunities for women around the world.
We’d like to thank everyone who applied for the Anita Borg Scholarship. Applications are currently going through their review phase and applicants will be informed when finalists and scholars are selected.
For more information on Google’s educational programs, please visit www.google.com/edu.
Questions? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page (FAQ) or email us at anitaborgscholars@google.com.