August 7, 2015
August 7, 2015
Happy birthday Mam-Maw. I think of you often, still miss you and love telling your stories. Just today, I got to share with a co-worker the story of when you became a programmer.
I still remember you telling me that you were a cocktail waitress, while Pap-Pap was a bartender, at this bar near the old Olmstead Air Force Base. The regulars came in one Friday evening and posed the following question:
"Some of us at this table think a woman's not smart enough for computers, but some of us do. How'd you like to prove them wrong by trying out for a job as a programmer?"
I remember you telling me how you doubted you could do it--even going so far as to tell a fellow co-worker as much. I still giggle when I picture you saying "she told me that if I think I'm smart enough, you most certainly are smart enough to do it, Annie"
Not only did you prove a woman most certainly could do programming, you excelled at the craft for the next nearly 25 years. Whenever I finish that story, they all say what I've always said about you:
You were a pioneer, both in the world of programming and for women in the work place.
You've always been my inspiration and as long as I live, I'll always remember you and cherish my memories with you. You were fierce, fearless, brilliant and funny as hell--and I'm glad that a little bit of that came to me.
Love you lots Mam-Maw!
PS: Thanks for being there in spirit when I got married this year. When I was talking about you and Mom durng the ceremony, I spotted you and she, just briefly, at the back of the audience--wiping tears of joy from your eyes and beaming with happiness.
I still remember you telling me that you were a cocktail waitress, while Pap-Pap was a bartender, at this bar near the old Olmstead Air Force Base. The regulars came in one Friday evening and posed the following question:
"Some of us at this table think a woman's not smart enough for computers, but some of us do. How'd you like to prove them wrong by trying out for a job as a programmer?"
I remember you telling me how you doubted you could do it--even going so far as to tell a fellow co-worker as much. I still giggle when I picture you saying "she told me that if I think I'm smart enough, you most certainly are smart enough to do it, Annie"
Not only did you prove a woman most certainly could do programming, you excelled at the craft for the next nearly 25 years. Whenever I finish that story, they all say what I've always said about you:
You were a pioneer, both in the world of programming and for women in the work place.
You've always been my inspiration and as long as I live, I'll always remember you and cherish my memories with you. You were fierce, fearless, brilliant and funny as hell--and I'm glad that a little bit of that came to me.
Love you lots Mam-Maw!
PS: Thanks for being there in spirit when I got married this year. When I was talking about you and Mom durng the ceremony, I spotted you and she, just briefly, at the back of the audience--wiping tears of joy from your eyes and beaming with happiness.