Today we continue the Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep series with an essay by author Laurie Wallmark. Thank you, Laurie.
Writers are often told to write what they
know. As far as I’m concerned, we should write what we’re passionate about. We
can always research (and who doesn’t like research?) a topic, but if we’re not
interested in it—boring!
Which brings me to why I write about women in
STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). Doing so lets me combine two of
my passions—STEM and equal opportunity for all.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). Doing so lets me combine two of
my passions—STEM and equal opportunity for all.
 |
| Me in third grade |
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved
science and math. In college, I majored in biochemistry, which allowed me to take
courses in math, physics, biology, chemistry, and of course, biochemistry. I
was in science-nerd heaven.
science and math. In college, I majored in biochemistry, which allowed me to take
courses in math, physics, biology, chemistry, and of course, biochemistry. I
was in science-nerd heaven.
I also took a few computer courses (there
wasn’t yet a computer science major) and found a new love—programming. But how
could I combine my new and old loves? Much to my delight, I found out there was
a profession called scientific programming. Woo-hoo!
wasn’t yet a computer science major) and found a new love—programming. But how
could I combine my new and old loves? Much to my delight, I found out there was
a profession called scientific programming. Woo-hoo!
After college, I received a master’s degree
in Information Systems and worked in programming for many years. Now I teach
computer science at my local community college.
in Information Systems and worked in programming for many years. Now I teach
computer science at my local community college.
But what about my other passion, wanting to
provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of sex, race, religion,
sexual orientation, etc.? As a child, I was convinced I could only become a
scientist if changed my name to Marie Curie. After all, she was the only woman
scientist I had ever read about. Through my writing, I can show girls (and
boys!) that STEM is for everyone.
provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of sex, race, religion,
sexual orientation, etc.? As a child, I was convinced I could only become a
scientist if changed my name to Marie Curie. After all, she was the only woman
scientist I had ever read about. Through my writing, I can show girls (and
boys!) that STEM is for everyone.
There are so many unsung women in STEM whose
stories deserve to be told. How do I decide which ones to write about it?
stories deserve to be told. How do I decide which ones to write about it?
Since I’m a computer scientist, who better to
write about than Ada Byron Lovelace—the world’s first computer programmer? Notice,
I didn’t say the first woman programmer. Ada was the first person, male or
female, to write code for a computer.
write about than Ada Byron Lovelace—the world’s first computer programmer? Notice,
I didn’t say the first woman programmer. Ada was the first person, male or
female, to write code for a computer.
At the time I started doing research for the
book (about 2007 or so), no one, other than a few other computer geeks like me,
had ever heard of her accomplishments. I’m happy that my book, ADA BYRON
LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston, 2015), has played a part in
changing that.
book (about 2007 or so), no one, other than a few other computer geeks like me,
had ever heard of her accomplishments. I’m happy that my book, ADA BYRON
LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston, 2015), has played a part in
changing that.
You can tell by the title of my next book,
GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling, 2017), that I still had more to
say about women and computers. Grace was the first person (again, not the first
woman) to use words, instead of just “1”s and “0”s, to write computer code.
This made it possible for non-technical people (like kids!) to program them.
GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling, 2017), that I still had more to
say about women and computers. Grace was the first person (again, not the first
woman) to use words, instead of just “1”s and “0”s, to write computer code.
This made it possible for non-technical people (like kids!) to program them.
For my third book, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE
(Sterling, 2019), I decided it was time to consider women other than computer
scientists. Hedy was a glamorous movie star AND she co-invented the technology
that helps keep Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth from being hacked. I was drawn to
Hedy’s story because it shows kids they don’t have to give up their other
interests to be good at STEM.
I love bringing to life stories about women
in STEM. The book I’m working on right now is a woman mathematician. Will I
ever write biographies of men or people not in STEM? Who knows? But I do know, my
books will always be about someone whose accomplishments have been overlooked—someone
whose story deserves to be told.
in STEM. The book I’m working on right now is a woman mathematician. Will I
ever write biographies of men or people not in STEM? Who knows? But I do know, my
books will always be about someone whose accomplishments have been overlooked—someone
whose story deserves to be told.
Award-winning
author Laurie Wallmark’s debut, ADA
BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston, 2015),
received four starred reviews and many national awards. GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE
(Sterling, 2017), earned a Kirkus
star and made several “best of” lists. Her next book, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE
(Sterling), releases in 2019. Laurie has an MFA from VCFA and
teaches computer science. Find Laurie at www.lauriewallmark.com and
@lauriewallmark.
author Laurie Wallmark’s debut, ADA
BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston, 2015),
received four starred reviews and many national awards. GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE
(Sterling, 2017), earned a Kirkus
star and made several “best of” lists. Her next book, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE
(Sterling), releases in 2019. Laurie has an MFA from VCFA and
teaches computer science. Find Laurie at www.lauriewallmark.com and
@lauriewallmark.
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4 Responses
Loved your other PB bios, Laurie. Excited to read about Hedy too :). Congrats!
Laurie, I agree – write about one's passions. Can't wait for HEDY. Love the computer books, too.
I own and love all three of your books, Laurie. I have friends who have a 10-yr-old daughter named Ada, after ABL. One of her parents used to work for Google and the other is an author who writes about science, so of course they knew about her. And as a former engineer, I knew about Grace Hopper, but I'd never heard of Lamarr's accomplishments. So thank you for putting these women in the spotlight! I think you have a rich source of under-celebrated women to choose from, so I don't think you'll ever need to write about men. Thank you!
What a great message!!