Manufacturing Magazine February 2024 | Page 23

“ My work paved the way for the modern microchips found in almost all hightechnology systems , including computers , mobile phones and the internet ”

VLSI ( Very Large Scale Integration ) Design VLSI has revolutionised chip design , allowing for the quick creation of complicated integrated circuits .
Manufacturing equal opportunities Conway now lives in the countryside with her husband and continues to advocate for fair and equal opportunities , employment protections and rights for transgender people . Because of her , transgender rights are now included in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE ) Code of Ethics .
52 years later , IBM apologised to Conway for how she was treated .
“ Thanks to your courage , your example , and all the people who followed in your footsteps , as a society we are now in a better place ,” says Diane Gherson , IBM Senior Vice President of Human Affairs . “ But that doesn ’ t help you , Lynn , probably our very first employee to come out . And for that , we deeply regret what you went through – and know I speak for all of us .” Conway was highlighted in The Trans100 in 2015 , celebrated as one of the 21 ‘ Transgender People Who Influenced American Culture ’ by Time Magazine in 2014 and named as one of the Stonewall 40 trans heroes in 2009 .
“ By focusing on building your social capital as learners and contributors , innovators , leaders and explorers – instead of merely seeking money and formal positions and the trappings of power – you ’ ll expand your social agility and your lifelong opportunities to team up with cool people , go exploring , have exciting adventures and leave tracks behind ,” Conway said during her 2018 Winter Commencement address to U-M graduates .