I broke into the ranks of computing in the early 1980s, when women were just starting to poke their shoulder pads through crowds of men. There was no legal protection against 'hostile environments for women.'

In this quote, Ellen Ullman reflects on her experience as a woman entering the field of computing in the early 1980s, a time when the tech industry was largely dominated by men. She uses the metaphor of women "poking their shoulder pads through crowds of men" to describe the struggle of breaking into a male-dominated industry. Ullman highlights the lack of legal protection against hostile environments for women, meaning there were no formal safeguards or laws to protect women from discrimination or harassment in the workplace during that era.

Ullman’s statement underscores the challenges women faced in the early days of technology and computing, where gender inequality was pervasive, and workplace harassment was often unchecked. The phrase "no legal protection against hostile environments for women" points to the absence of laws that could shield women from the misogyny, disrespect, and exclusion that were common in many professional settings, particularly in tech. It also suggests how women had to navigate these environments with limited recourse to address any unfair treatment.

The origin of this quote comes from Ellen Ullman, a pioneering computer programmer and writer known for her reflections on the intersection of technology, society, and gender. Ullman’s experiences as a woman working in computing during the 1980s are central to her work, particularly in her book Close to the Machine: Technophilia and Its Discontents. As an advocate for greater inclusivity and gender equality in the tech industry, her personal experiences serve as a lens through which she critiques the broader cultural and professional obstacles that women face in male-dominated fields.

Ultimately, Ullman’s quote highlights the historical and ongoing struggles for women in tech and other male-dominated industries. Her words serve as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done in terms of gender equality, workplace protection, and the creation of inclusive environments where women are not just allowed but encouraged to thrive. Her perspective is a powerful call for continued progress toward equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender.