Nancy Hafkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nancy Hafkin
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Hafkin in 2013
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| Alma mater | Brandeis University Boston University |
| Occupation | Computer scientist |
| Known for | Inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame |
| Spouse(s) | Berhanu Abebe |
| Children | Two |
Nancy Jane Hafkin is a true pioneer who helped bring computer networks and electronic communication to Africa. From 1987 to 1997, she led the Pan African Development Information System (PADIS) for the United Nations. She also helped the Association for Progressive Communications connect many African countries to email in the early 1990s, even before the full Internet was widely available there.
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Nancy Hafkin's Work
Nancy Hafkin studied history and anthropology at Brandeis University from 1960 to 1965. She then continued her studies at Boston University from 1965 to 1967. There, she met Professor Ruth S. Morgenthau, who encouraged her to focus on African history. This was a new field at the time, and many women were involved.
Moving to Ethiopia
In 1975, Nancy Hafkin moved to Ethiopia with her husband, Berhanu Abebe. They lived in Addis Ababa for almost 25 years, until 2000.
When Hafkin worked for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Internet did not exist yet. She saw that getting information was very difficult in Africa. People shared data using faxes and postal mail. There wasn't even a public library in the country. So, she decided to fix this problem by starting the Pan African Development Information System (PADIS) in 1986.
Besides her work with PADIS, she was also a visiting professor at the University of Addis Ababa. She was the Chair of History from 1980 to 1981.
Through her time with PADIS, Nancy Hafkin helped set up the first electronic communication networks in ten African countries. She also worked hard to convince many African government officials how important the Internet would be.
Over the years, Hafkin greatly helped people around the world understand how technology could help women. She also made it easier and cheaper to get information technology in Africa. Thanks to PADIS, new African networks have given more people access to information. This has also helped reduce the feeling of being cut off for African students.
Returning to the U.S.
In 2000, Nancy Hafkin left her job with the U.N. and moved back to the United States with her husband. She wanted to keep working on her goal of improving access to information for women.
Even though she has retired from her full-time work, Hafkin still gives speeches. She talks about how women can be empowered and participate more in information technology.
Nancy Hafkin's Writing
Nancy Hafkin edited a book called Cinderella or Cyberella?: Empowering Women in the Knowledge Society. It was published in 2006. This book is a collection of essays that talk about how information and communication technologies can help women.
Awards and Recognition
The APC (Association for Progressive Communications), which is based in Johannesburg, created an award in her honor. The annual Nancy Hafkin Prize celebrates new ideas in information technology in Africa. It recognizes great projects that use information and communication technology (ICTs) to help with development.
In 2012, Nancy Hafkin was honored by being inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame by the Internet Society. This shows how important her work was in connecting the world.
See also
In Spanish: Nancy Hafkin para niños
