Lynn Conway, a pioneering computer scientist known for her significant technological contributions and her activism, passed away on June 9, 2023, in Jackson, Michigan, at the age of 86. Her husband, Charles Rogers, reported that she died in a hospital due to complications from two recent heart attacks.
In the 1960s, Conway worked at IBM, where she achieved notable advancements in computer science. However, she was terminated by the company in 1968 after disclosing her transgender identity to her managers. Following her departure from IBM, Conway was one of the first Americans to undergo gender reassignment surgery that same year.
Conway lived in "stealth" mode for 31 years, choosing to keep her transition secret to avoid potential professional setbacks and personal risks. Despite these challenges, she successfully rebuilt her career, eventually joining Xerox PARC. There, she continued to contribute notably to her field.
In 1999, Conway publicly revealed her transgender status and subsequently became a prominent figure in transgender activism. In a significant turn of events, IBM issued a formal apology to Conway in 2020, acknowledging the injustice she faced 52 years earlier.