Lynn Conway, a pioneering computer scientist and transgender advocate, passed away at the age of 86 on June 9, 2024, in Jackson, Michigan, due to complications from recent heart attacks, as confirmed by her husband, Charles Rogers. Born on January 2, 1938, in Mount Vernon, New York, Conway made significant contributions to computer science, including foundational work in very large-scale integrated (VLSI) chip design at Xerox PARC, alongside Carver Mead.
Conway's career began at IBM in the 1960s, where she developed a method for dynamic instruction scheduling, enhancing the performance of supercomputers. However, she was dismissed from IBM in 1968 after revealing she was transgender, despite her important technological innovations. She then underwent gender reassignment surgery and lived stealthily for 31 years to protect her career and physical safety.
In the 1970s, while at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, Conway co-authored the textbook "Introduction to VLSI Systems," which became influential in the field of chip design. She later joined DARPA and then the University of Michigan, where she served as a professor and associate dean until her retirement in 1988. She was honored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers with the Computer Pioneer Award in 2009 and was also selected for the Electronic Design Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering.
Conway publicly disclosed her transgender status in 1999 and became an advocate for transgender rights. In 2020, IBM issued a formal apology for her dismissal, acknowledging her as one of the first employees to come out as transgender. In her later years, Conway remained active within the transgender community, providing guidance and support to individuals undergoing transition and promoting broader acceptance.
Conway is survived by her husband, Charles Rogers, her two daughters, and six grandchildren.