Why AdaMarie?
Honoring Trailblazing Women in STEM and Building a Community of Integrity
Our company was inspired by two remarkable pioneers: Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie. The name AdaMarie honors these women, not only for their groundbreaking contributions to STEM but for the path they forged for countless others.
Ada Lovelace: The First Computer Programmer
Ada Lovelace was a visionary mathematician and writer who is often credited with writing the first algorithm intended for a machine. She worked alongside Charles Babbage on his early mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine, in the 1800s. What set Ada apart was her ability to see the broader potential of computing—she envisioned a future where machines could go beyond mere calculations and serve a wide range of functions. As the first person to recognize that computers could do more than just crunch numbers, Ada is considered the world’s first computer programmer. Her foresight paved the way for the technology we rely on today.
Marie Curie: The Pioneer of Radioactivity and Legacy of Education
Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist, broke barriers as the first woman to win a Nobel Prize—and the only person to ever win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences (physics and chemistry). Her discovery of radioactivity and her research into radioactive elements like radium and polonium transformed our understanding of physics and medicine. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, Curie’s relentless pursuit of knowledge changed the world.
But Curie’s legacy didn’t stop with her. She also raised her daughter, Irène Joliot-Curie, to follow in her footsteps. Irène, a brilliant scientist in her own right, went on to win a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work on artificial radioactivity. The mother-daughter duo exemplifies how passion for science can span generations and further underscores the importance of mentorship, leadership, and legacy in advancing STEM.
Honoring All Trailblazers
Of course, Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie are not the only women to shape the STEM landscape. Their stories are just two of many, and it’s crucial to recognize the diverse contributions from women of different backgrounds and experiences. Women like Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician whose calculations were essential to NASA’s space missions, and Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to nuclear physics, are just as much a part of this lineage. Let’s not forget pioneers like Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, a physicist who was the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT, and Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut. These women of color added richness and depth to STEM, and their legacies continue to inspire new generations.
Why the First Names?
When we decided to name the company AdaMarie, it was important to us to use the first names of these iconic figures. There’s something powerful about this choice—it feels personal, familiar, and authentic. AdaMarie is not just another company; it’s a place where we show up as our true selves, without pretense. Using first names signifies that authenticity. It also signifies connection. Our community is built on a foundation of integrity, where people can find support, guidance, and shared experiences. Here, you are seen as an individual, and you matter.
Women as Community Builders
Human beings are social animals, and women, in particular, have a long anthropologic history of being gatherers and networkers. Anthropological research tells us that women have traditionally been the village builders, fostering the connections necessary for survival. The success of AdaMarie reflects these deeply embedded traits—our strength is in our community. We are all interconnected, like knots in a net, supporting each other and forming a resilient structure. Each connection strengthens the whole, and when one of us rises, we all rise together.
At AdaMarie, we understand that changing the landscape of the STEM workforce will not happen in isolation. It’s going to take a network of authentic relationships, a commitment to intersectionality, and a collective effort to support each other. By embracing this approach, we create opportunities not just for women in STEM, but for everyone committed to building a more equitable future.
The Power of Community
Naming AdaMarie after Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie felt like the right choice—not just because they were brilliant women in STEM, but because they symbolize the values that drive our company: innovation, integrity, and connection. They remind us that progress happens when we work together, lift each other up, and honor our shared humanity.
At AdaMarie, we come as we are, and we grow stronger by lifting others. Together, we’re forging a new path for women in STEM, one that is built on community, understanding, and collective strength.