Valerie Aurora

Valerie Anita Aurora, born Val Henson, is a prominent American software engineer and feminist activist, recognized for her significant contributions to the fields of computer science and women's rights. In 2009, she adopted her new name, inspired by the esteemed computer scientist Anita Borg, reflecting her commitment to advocating for women in technology.

As a co-founder of the Ada Initiative, Valerie played a pivotal role in promoting women's participation in the free-culture movement and open-source technology. This non-profit organization aimed to empower women and foster inclusivity within the tech community, making strides towards gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Valerie is also well-regarded in the Linux community for her innovative work on filesystems, including the development of ChunkFS and the Union file system. Her technical expertise and advocacy have earned her recognition as a leader in computer security, culminating in her being named one of the most influential figures in the field by SC Magazine in 2012.

In 2013, her contributions to open-source technology were further acknowledged when she received the O'Reilly Open Source Award, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in both engineering and activism.