About GHC: History of the Conference

Co-founded by Dr. Anita Borg and Dr. Telle Whitney in 1994 and inspired by the legacy of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, the Institute’s Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) Of Women In Computing Conference is designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. It is the largest technical conference for women in computing and results in collaborative proposals, networking and mentoring for junior women and increased visibility for the contributions of women in computing. Conference presenters are leaders in their respective fields, representing industry, academia and government. Top researchers present their work while special sessions focus on the role of women in today’s technology fields.

Past Conferences

	2007 Conference October 17-20, 2007 Orlando, Florida Theme: I Invent The Future Web Site A sold out Conference with 1430 attendees gathered at the seventh Grace Hopper Celebration. Women from over 23 countries attended from 212 universities and 93 companies. Students made up 41% of attendees an 8% increase over the previous year. 47% of the students are at the PhD level and 34% at the undergrad level. Impact results show sharp increases in career and degree commitment, breaking feelings of isolation and increasing confidence, and inspiration as a result of attending GHC2007.
	2006 Conference October 3-7, 2006 San Diego, California Theme: Making Waves Web Site 1,290 participants attended the sixth Grace Hopper Celebration, representing a 49.9 percent increase over the last conference in 2004. Forty-two percent of attendees were students, from undergraduates to post-doctoral scholars, and of that number, a record 221 attended on scholarships underwritten by universities, corporations, ABI and the National Science Foundation. A record 36 corporate sponsors provided nearly $400,000 in conference funding. Over two and a half days, a roster of more than 200 presenters, including thought leaders from government agencies, leading universities and some of industry’s top technology companies led programs to explore the state-of-the-art in computing technology, examine strategies for attracting and advancing women in science and technology professions, learn career-building skills and celebrate the accomplishments of women in technology. Additionally, a widely diverse technical poster session by students and researchers drew a record 66 entries.
	2004 Conference October 6-9, 2004 Chicago, Illinois Theme: Making History Web Site 900 participants attended the 5th Grace Hopper Celebration. A full decade since the first Grace Hopper Celebration the Making History theme was not a simple look back into history but emphasized the importance of cooperation and collaboration with women of different generations. It highlighted the impact and history that women have made, are making, and will continue to make on technology and innovation. Twenty-four universities from all over the country sent over 400 students to Chicago.
	2002 Conference October 9-12, 2002 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Theme: Ubiquity 600 women attended the fourth Grace Hopper Celebration and they came from all over the world including the United Kingdom, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, India, Germany, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Haiti, Sweden, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Norway, Kenya, Bangladesh, Japan, Mexico, and Turkey. The theme for 2002, “Ubiquity,” focused on the ubiquity of the impact of computers on our daily lives and the ubiquity of the impact women are making on this technical force.
	2000 Conference September 14-16, 2000 Hyannis, Massachusetts on Cape Cod Theme: Interconnections Web Site The theme of the Third Grace Hopper Celebration was Interconnection; connections between computing and other fields, the connections among women in computing around the world, and the connection between technology and the needs of the world of women. Keynote speakers included Dr. Rita Colwell, Director, National Science Foundation and Ellen Hancock, CEO, Exodus Communications.
	1997 Conference Septmber 19-21, 1997 San Jose, CA In its second iteration the Grace Hopper Celebration had already become known as a world-class technical conference presenting the significant contributions of women to the computing field. In addition the conference encouraged women by making visible the possibilities, success stories, and rewards available to women in computing. In San Jose, more than 600 women computer scientists and students exchanged ideas and updated their knowledge, fostered collaboration between individuals working in various fields of computing.
	1994 Conference June 9-11, 1994 Washington, D.C. “Welcome to the first Grace Hopper Celebration. Welcome to the future.” With those words co-founder Dr. Anita Borg opened the inaugural event inspired by the legacy of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, a pioneer in the field of computing and an inspiration to women and scientists everywhere. The Grace Hopper Celebration celebrated the continuing achievements and contributions of women in computing and over 450 women attended. The outpouring of enthusiasm from participants, organizations, associations and companies qualified the need for this event and foretold of great things to come.