Grace Hopper was a computer pioneer and naval officer who made significant contributions to the development of computer technology and programming languages. She is best known for her work on the development of the first commercial electronic computer, UNIVAC I, and for her contributions to the development of COBOL, a widely used programming language. Hopper was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer and invented one of the first linkers. She was also a trailblazer for women in the field of computer science and encouraged young people to learn how to program.

In addition to her work in computer science, Hopper was a naval officer who served for 19 years and retired as a rear admiral at the age of 79, making her the oldest serving officer in the U.S. armed forces. She was known for her lively and irreverent speaking style and was nicknamed "Amazing Grace" by her subordinates. Hopper was also a talented teacher who was able to communicate with a wide variety of audiences, including technical experts, engineers, business leaders, data processors, young people, and the general public.

Hoppers legacy includes numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received posthumously in 2016. The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women In Computing Conference and the Association for Computing Machinery both offer awards in her name to encourage women to become part of the world of computing.