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Ida Holz
Ida Holz.jpg
Born
Ida Holz Bard

(1935-01-30) 30 January 1935 (age 90)
Montevideo, Uruguay
Alma mater University of the Republic
Occupation Engineer, computer scientist, professor, researcher
Spouse(s) Anhelo Hernández Ríos
Children Arauco, Ayara
Awards
  • LACNIC Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Internet Hall of Fame
  • Girdle of Honor
  • Outstanding Personality stamp

Ida Holz Bard was born on January 30, 1935. She is an amazing engineer, computer scientist, and professor from Uruguay. Many people know her as a true pioneer in the world of computers and the Internet. She helped bring the internet to Uruguay and Latin America.

Ida's Early Life and Education

Ida Holz grew up in a Jewish family with roots in Poland. When she was 18, she moved to Israel and stayed there until she was 22. During this time, she was part of the army and lived on a kibbutz, which is a special community farm.

Discovering Computer Science

When Ida returned to Uruguay, she wanted to study architecture. But she worked during the day, so she couldn't attend those classes. Instead, she started teaching mathematics.

Her math logic professor invited her to a new course. This course was about computers and was offered by the University of the Republic. This was a big moment for her.

In the early 1970s, Ida became one of the first students in Uruguay to study computer science. She learned from the Engineering Faculty at the University of the Republic.

Family and Moving Away

In 1964, Ida married Anhelo Hernández. He was an artist who painted modern art.

In 1976, because of political problems in Uruguay, Ida and Anhelo moved to Mexico. While in Mexico, Ida worked for the government. She worked in areas dealing with the economy and statistics. The Mexican government even offered her a high-level job. But she decided to return to Uruguay.

Bringing the Internet to Uruguay

In 1986, Ida Holz applied for a job to lead the Central Information Service of the University of the Republic (SECIU). She got the job!

From this important position, Ida Holz led the effort to bring the Internet to Uruguay. This started in the early 1990s. She played a huge role in how technology grew in Uruguay.

Key Contributions

Since 2005, she has also worked with AGESIC. This agency helps the government use technology and spread knowledge. Ida also helped start the Ceibal project. This project gives laptops to children in Uruguay.

Ida Holz is also famous for standing up for Latin American countries. In 1991, at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro, the United States and Europe wanted to control the new global internet. Ida spoke out against this. She believed Latin American countries should have their own say.

Under her leadership, SECIU set up the first Internet node in Uruguay in 1994. A node is like a main connection point for the internet.

Awards and Special Honors

Ida Holz has received many important awards for her work.

LACNIC Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2009, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from LACNIC. LACNIC is the Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre. This award honors people who have helped the internet grow and develop.

Internet Hall of Fame

In 2013, Ida Holz made history. She became the first person from Latin America to join the Internet Society's Hall of Fame. This special group honors people who have been very important in making the Internet what it is today.

Girdle of Honor

The Board of Initial and Primary Education gave her the Girdle of Honor in 2014. This award was given at public school No. 4 José Artigas. This is the same school where Ida completed her primary studies as a child.

Outstanding Personality Stamp

The National Postal Administration honored Ida in 2015. They released special stamps with her picture on them. These stamps were part of a series called "Outstanding Personalities of Uruguay."

Ceibal Project Recognition

In 2017, Ida Holz was honored again. This time, it was for her career as an Internet pioneer in Uruguay. This recognition happened during the tenth anniversary celebration of the Ceibal project.

"Mother of the Internet"

Vint Cerf is one of the people known as the "fathers of the Internet." Someone once asked him if there was a "mother of the Internet." He replied:

Yes, there is a mother of the Internet, and her name is Ida Holz.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ida Holz para niños

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