The Hidden History of America’s “Code Girls”

While men may dominate computer science today, women played fascinating, overlooked roles in the field’s early days. During World War II, more than 10,000 American women were recruited to Washington, D.C., to take part in the United States’ massive codebreaking initiative. In her latest book, Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II, author Liza Mundy tells the secret history of these women, whose efforts saved countless lives and opened previously denied career opportunities to a new generation of women.

Featured speakers included Liza Mundy, Senior Fellow, New America, Author of Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Codebreakers of World War II, The Richer Sex, and Michelle: A Biography; Erie Meyer, Senior Director of the National Network, Code for America, Co-founder, U.S. Digital Service; and Courtney Eimerman-Wallace, Director of Technology, Color of Change. Moderated by Ian Wallace, Co-Director, Cybersecurity Initiative, New America.