[1] The purpose of AWC is to provide opportunities for professional growth for women in computing through networking, continuing education and mentoring.
The AWC is a national, nonprofit, professional organization for women and men with an interest in information technology.
[3] It grants the Ada Lovelace Award to individuals who have excelled in either of two areas: outstanding scientific technical achievement and/or extraordinary service to the computing community through accomplishments and contributions on behalf of women in computing.
AWC was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization, originally under the name National Association for Women in Computing.
[4] The Puget Sound Chapter was founded in the winter of 1979 by Donnafaye Carroll Finger and Diane Haelsig.