Margaret Hamilton
Awards & Honours
6
Awards Won
6
Honours
2
Rankings
1
Covers
2
Records
Margaret Hamilton's achievements stand as a testament to the power of visionary leadership in technology. She was the first to coin the term "software engineering," establishing a discipline that now underpins modern computing. Her work on the Apollo Guidance Computer saved the Apollo 11 mission, a feat that remains one of the most critical moments in space exploration history. She was the first woman to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to software, breaking barriers for women in STEM and earning a place in history as a pioneer who changed how we build complex systems.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Awarded by President Barack Obama for exceptional contributions to the nation.
National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Honoring her work in software engineering.
IEEE John von Neumann Medal
For outstanding achievements in computer-related science and technology.
National Women's Hall of Fame
Recognizing her impact as a woman in STEM.
Software Engineering Hall of Fame
A testament to her foundational role in the field.
Key to the City of Cambridge
Awarded in recognition of her local and national impact.
Rankings & Lists
TIME 100
BBC 100 Women
Magazine Covers
TIME
2016
Influential People in Computing
Records & Feats
Coined Term "Software Engineering"
First to formally define and use the term "software engineering" to describe the discipline of building complex software systems.
Apollo 11 1202 Alarm Resolution
Developed the priority scheduling algorithm that allowed the Apollo Guidance Computer to handle an overload during the lunar landing, saving the mission.