QUEER TECH HISTORY / EDITH WINDSOR
Edith “Edie” Windsor was a trailblazer in both the tech industry and LGBTQ+ activism. Known for her “top-notch debugging skills,” Edie made significant contributions to Queer tech history, particularly through her early work at IBM and her pivotal role in the fight for marriage equality.
After receiving her degree in mathematics from New York University, she joined IBM, where she worked for 16 years. Her focus was primarily on systems architecture and the implementation of operating systems and natural language processors. She once told a journalist, “They couldn’t fix the code because they couldn’t read it. But I could read code until it wrapped around the room and back again. A guy I was working with said, ‘Give this woman a roll of toilet paper; she can do anything.’” This ability to master complex code earned her a reputation for excellence and problem-solving that would follow her throughout her career.
In 1975, Edie left IBM to become the founding president of PC Classics, a software firm specializing in software development projects. During this time, she helped countless LGBTQ organizations digitize their efforts, enhancing their tech literacy and capacity.
Edie’s activism wasn’t confined to her tech career. She was deeply involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy, participating in marches, serving on the board of SAGE, and volunteering for GLAD. However, she is perhaps best known for her legal battle against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). After the passing of her longtime partner, Thea Spyer, in 2009, Edie was barred from claiming the federal estate tax exemption for surviving spouses, which led her to file a lawsuit against the federal government in 2010. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, declaring Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional. This landmark case set a legal precedent that contributed to the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015.
Beyond her courtroom victory, Edie’s legacy continues to inspire future generations. In 2016, Lesbians Who Tech launched the Edie Windsor Coding Scholarship Fund, supporting Queer and gender-nonconforming women in pursuing careers in tech by funding their coding school tuition and providing mentorship and support systems.
Edie Windsor’s life and legacy are remembered not only for her contributions to technology but also for her unwavering commitment to equality and justice for the LGBTQ+ community.
References & Resources
Remembering Edie Windsor: Tech Pioneer, Equality Advocate
Edith Windsor, Whose Same-Sex Marriage Fight Led to Landmark Ruling, Dies at 88
