I would like to share my thoughts on the passing of Susan Wojcicki, who passed away on August 10th at the age of 56.
Susan’s journey from renting out her garage to two Stanford students—Larry Page and Sergey Brin—to becoming the CEO of YouTube is a story of vision, courage, and resilience.
In many ways, Susan’s path mirrors that of other groundbreaking women in tech, like Ida Tin, the woman who coined the term “Femtech.” Ida’s vision to empower women through technology led her to co-found Clue, a menstrual-tracking app designed to give women more control over their reproductive health. Despite her innovation, Ida was leapfrogged by male-led competitors, like Flow, who capitalized on the very market she helped create.
These stories are a stark reminder that women in tech often face an uphill battle, not just in creating innovative solutions but in receiving the recognition and support they deserve. It echoes the challenges faced by Ada Lovelace, who laid the foundation for computing but whose contributions were nearly erased from history, and by Marie Curie, who fought for her place in a male-dominated scientific world.
Susan, Ida, Ada, and Marie—all trailblazers in their own right—show us that women’s contributions to technology and science are invaluable, yet often underappreciated. Susan’s role in the birth and growth of Google, her leadership at YouTube, and her advocacy for women’s rights, including her bold stance on maternity leave, are just as important as the technological advancements themselves.
As we honor Susan Wojcicki’s remarkable legacy, we are reminded of our duty to empower and support those around us during their lifetimes. Susan’s contributions to technology and her advocacy for women in the workplace were not just achievements to be celebrated after her passing, but actions that were meaningful and impactful while she was still with us.
Let this be a call to action: to recognize and uplift the innovators, leaders, and advocates in our own circles today. By doing so, we ensure that their legacies are built not only through our reflections but through the real-time impact of our collective support and encouragement. Let us not wait until it’s time to commemorate, but instead take every opportunity now to empower others, so that together we can shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a lasting impact.
Rest in peace, Susan. Your legacy, and the legacies of women like you, will inspire generations to come.
Read more about this incredible woman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Wojcicki
#WomenInTech #Leadership #Femtech #Legacy #STEM #DEI