Find Your Inspiration: Books About Women Leaders 

If tech and life have one thing in common, it’s that they aren’t slowing down for anyone or anything. But, if all we’re doing is surviving, we risk missing the chance to innovate, lead, and truly flourish. 

Today’s women in tech are working harder than ever to get ahead. Between systemic barriers, demanding workplaces, and the everyday pressures of life, it’s easy to fall into survival mode: simply getting through each day without pausing to think about your next move. 

This is your reminder to seize your moment. Show up fully. Know what you want. And give yourself permission to grow beyond the boundaries that others, or even you, may have set. 

Below are powerful stories and books about women leaders who did just that, and lessons you can apply to thrive, lead, and make your mark in tech. 

Don’t Just Survive! Flourish and Thrive. 

Innovation stalls when we operate in survival mode. Simply getting through the day, checking boxes, or following the path laid out for us may feel productive, but it leaves little room for creativity, leadership, or real growth. 

Being fully present and intentional in moments of opportunity is what sets flourishing professionals apart. Whether it’s a career shift, a high-stakes project, or attending a major event like Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), the way you show up matters. Ask yourself: am I here to just participate, or am I here to make this moment count? 

Don’t miss your moment and use that energy! Set goals, immerse yourself in the experience, and lean into opportunities that challenge you. Giving yourself permission to do, to take risks, ask for more, and redefine what success looks like, is what turns potential into achievement. 

“If all we’re doing is surviving, we’re missing opportunity, and with it, the chance to innovate and flourish.” – Brenda Darden Wilkerson, AnitaB.org President & CEO 

Flourishing is about more than just personal growth; it’s about expanding your impact, inspiring others, and creating the conditions for innovation to thrive. 

Inspiration in Action: Books About Women Leaders in Tech 

1. The Wall Falls, A Woman Rises by Dagnija Lacis
   

   Dagnija Lacis’ journey is nothing short of remarkable. Fleeing communist Latvia as a refugee, she immigrated to the United States and went on to become the first woman programmer at Burroughs Corporation, and later the first woman line Vice President at Burroughs/Unisys. After the Berlin Wall fell, she was invited to return to Latvia to help modernize the country’s business and technology landscape.

   Key takeaway: Resilience and vision can reshape entire industries, and even nations.

   Why it resonates: Daggie’s story reminds us that boundaries are meant to be expanded, not accepted. She shows how determination, expertise, and courage can create impact on a global scale. Read more about Dagnija’s story in our blog interview.

2. Fearless Authenticity by Jeanne Sparrow
   

   Fearless Authenticity is a roadmap for unlocking your unique value and leading with confidence, both professionally and personally. Jeanne Sparrow shows how embracing your authentic self can transform the way you lead, communicate, and connect with others.

   Key takeaway: You are your best asset. Leading fearlessly means showing up as yourself, unapologetically.

   Application: This book encourages readers to embrace their voice and leadership style, especially in spaces that weren’t designed for them. By leaning into authenticity, you can build meaningful relationships, influence change, and make an impact on your team and organization.

3. Rebooting Tech Culture by Telle Whitney
   

   In Rebooting Tech Culture, Telle Whitney explores how to build workplaces where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand. Drawing on interviews with tech executives and insights from thousands of employees, she outlines the “six Cs” creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community—that form the foundation of both innovative and welcoming organizations.

   Key takeaway: Courage and community drive real culture change.

   Application: Readers can apply these principles to create thriving, inclusive teams where anyone can succeed. By fostering a culture rooted in these values, you can lead with impact and ensure that innovation flourishes alongside equity.

Bringing It All Together: Your Moment Starts Now 

Each of the women highlighted in these books demonstrates what’s possible when you lean into your power, act with purpose, and refuse to wait for permission. Their stories are proof that showing up fully, despite challenges, can transform your career, your team, and even your industry. 

Whether you’re attending a tech conference, leading a team, or stepping into a new role, this is your reminder: show out, flourish, and make it count. As Brenda said in her GHC 25 opening keynote:  

The world does not need the compressed version of you. It needs the “unbound” you. The one who leads with empathy, who builds with intuition, who endures with a resilience that you got from your experiences.

Ready to seize your moment? Join AnitaB.org Membership to access the resources, community, and tools that will help you thrive, lead, and make your mark in tech.