Women Who Inspire: Champions of Digital Rights and Tech Activism

In recognition of International Women’s Day, individuals at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have highlighted women who have profoundly influenced the fields of digital rights, freedom of expression, technology, and tech activism. Their stories underscore the courage, vision, and dedication required to navigate the complex landscape of a rapidly evolving digital world.

Anna Politkovskaya: A Journalist’s Moral Courage

Jillian York of the EFF honors the memory of Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian investigative journalist renowned for her fearless exposure of political and social abuses. Politkovskaya faced relentless harassment and violence for her work, ultimately losing her life for her commitment to truth. Her death served as a stark reminder that freedom of expression is not merely an abstract principle, but a right for which individuals often risk everything. Politkovskaya’s unwavering dedication to reporting on the realities faced by ordinary people, even in the face of grave danger, exemplifies the moral courage at the heart of impactful journalism.

Cindy Cohn: A 30-Year Legacy of Digital Rights Advocacy

Corynne McSherry, Legal Director at EFF, celebrates Cindy Cohn’s three decades of fighting for digital rights. Cohn led EFF’s legal efforts, shaping court understandings of code as protected speech and challenging government overreach, notably in the fight against NSA surveillance. Her work, while often facing obstacles like the state secrets privilege, spurred real reforms and expanded protections for user privacy and free expression. McSherry emphasizes Cohn’s visionary legal mind, exceptional writing skills, and tireless advocacy, alongside her warmth and mentorship.

Jane: Pioneering Information Security for Reproductive Rights

Sarah Hamid highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women to movement security culture. She points to the Jane abortion counseling service, operating in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as a foundational example of feminist infosec. Jane connected an estimated 11,000 people with safer abortions before Roe v. Wade, employing secure communication protocols – code names, compartmentalized roles, and minimal record-keeping – to protect both patients and providers. When raided by Chicago police in 1972, members prioritized secure deletion of sensitive information, a practice resonant with modern digital security measures. Hamid emphasizes the core principles of Jane: collect less data, separate collected information, and be prepared to destroy it when necessary, framing this as essential “care work” in an age of escalating surveillance.

Ebele Okobi: Championing Tech and Human Rights in Africa

Babette Ngene, Director of Public Interest Technology, shares how Ebele Okobi inspired her early career. Ngene recalls encountering Okobi at an internet governance event in 2013, where Okobi’s presence as a confident, accomplished African woman in a predominantly male space was profoundly impactful. Okobi went on to become a leading voice in tech and human rights, advocating for digital rights and responsible innovation across Africa and the global majority during her time at Facebook. Ngene credits Okobi’s empathy, integrity, and commitment to speaking truth to power as qualities that motivated her to remain in the tech and human rights field. Representation, Ngene asserts, truly matters.

Ada Lovelace: The First Computer Programmer

Allison Morris, Chief Development Director at EFF, celebrates Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician and writer recognized as the first computer programmer. Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, envisioned the potential of Charles Babbage’s theoretical General Purpose Computer to manipulate symbols beyond mere calculations, laying the groundwork for modern computing. Morris acknowledges the challenges Lovelace faced as a woman in her era and the ongoing debate surrounding attribution of her work, but remains inspired by her innovative spirit.

These women, through their courage, vision, and dedication, have left an indelible mark on the fight for digital rights and a more just and equitable technological future.