Grace Murray Hopper

Born Grace Brewster Murray, this American computer pioneer was not just a mathematician and a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy; she was also a pioneer in programming who popularized the idea of machine-independent programming languages. She practically invented the modern world, then debugged it, often with an actual moth. Talk about hands-on experience.

Hopper’s contributions were immense, from developing the first compiler for a computer programming language (A-0 System) to co-developing COBOL, a language that, despite its clunkiness, still somehow runs a surprising amount of the world's financial infrastructure. She took complex machine code and made it speak something resembling English, proving that even computers could benefit from a little clarity.

For her relentless pursuit of innovation and her unwavering commitment to making computers accessible, she earned the nickname "Amazing Grace." While her last name might sound like it belongs in a synagogue, her lineage was firmly rooted in Dutch and Scottish Presbyterianism. So, no Jewish origin, and definitely no Jewish identity. But kvel-worthy? Absolutely, five out of five for making computers slightly less terrifying for the rest of us.