Anita Borg (January 17, 1949 – April 6, 2003) was an American computer scientist celebrated for advocating for women’s representation and professional advancement in technology.

Although she loved math while growing up, she did not originally intend to go into computer science and taught herself how to program while working at a small insurance company.

[4] She was awarded a PhD in Computer Science by New York University in 1981 for research investigating the synchronization efficiency of operating systems supervised by Robert Dewar and Gerald Belpaire.

[7] While at Digital Equipment, she developed and patented a method for generating complete address traces for analyzing and designing high-speed memory systems.

Her experience running the ever-expanding Systers mailing list, which she founded in 1987, led her to work in email communication.

[10] Systers was established to provide a private space for its members to seek input and share advice based on their common experiences.

Since its foundation, the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology has increased its programs in the United States and expanded internationally, more than quadrupling in size.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the Presidential Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology.

[13] Also in 2002, Borg received an Honorary Doctor of Science and Technology degree from Carnegie Mellon University Borg received the EFF Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and was recognized by the Girl Scouts of the USA, as well as listed on Open Computing Magazine's Top 100 Women in Computing.

The program has expanded to include women in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

[17] The UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering offers the Anita Borg Prize, named in her honor.