Grace Hopper

Recognition

During her lifetime, Grace Hopper became widely recognized as a trailblazer in computing. Known for her sharp wit and engaging explanations, she brought computer science into the public spotlight.

President Ronald Reagan greets Capt. Grace Hopper as she arrives at the White House for her promotion to commodore.

Meeting with President Reagan

On December 15, 1983, at the White House, President Ronald Reagan congratulated Grace Hopper on her promotion from Captain to Commodore, which title was shortly thereafter changed to Rear Admiral, Lower Half. Hopper enjoyed recalling that she amused Reagan by observing that she was even older than he.

Photo: Pete Souza, Department of Defense

A photo of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a distinguished medal set displayed on a neutral gray fabric background. The centerpiece is a large five-pointed white star with a blue circular center filled with golden stars, set on a red pentagon and framed by a gold border with stylized eagles. This main medallion is suspended from a wide blue sash with white edges, tied in a formal bow. Additional components include a lapel pin, service ribbon, and miniature medal.

Presidential Medal of Freedom

On November 22, 2016, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Rear Admiral Grace Hopper the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Hopper’s grand-niece, Deborah Murray, accepted the award on her behalf during the White House ceremony.

Watch the ceremony

An image from a 60 Minutes feature about Grace Hopper ’28. Hopper, a person in a formal military uniform, stands in front of a green chalkboard, speaking to an audience. Their uniform is dark with gold stripes on the sleeves and several medals on the chest. They wear glasses and have neatly combed white hair. The chalkboard behind them has partially erased writing, and the "60 Minutes Overtime" logo appears in the lower left corner.

Grace Hopper on 60 Minutes: “She taught computers to talk.”

On March 6, 1983, 60 Minutes showed a feature on Grace Hopper.

Watch the 60 Minutes feature.

Grace Hopper ’28, a person with gray hair and glasses, chats with David Letterman, a person with short reddish hair, in a television studio.

Appearance on David Letterman

Grace Hopper appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in 1986, showcasing her trademark wit, intelligence, and no-nonsense demeanor. Dressed in her Navy uniform, she discussed her pioneering work in computer science, including her role in developing the first compiler and contributions to COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language). She famously explained the concept of a “nanosecond” using lengths of wire to illustrate how far electricity travels in that tiny fraction of a second. Her clear, engaging explanations and sense of humor captivated the audience and introduced many viewers to the human side of computing history.

Watch Hopper’s appearance on Letterman.

Grace Hopper ’28 speaks at a podium during an outdoor event. She wears glasses, and a white U.S. Navy uniform and cap.

The Grace Murray Hopper Service Center

The Grace Murray Hopper Service Center is a data processing facility located at the Naval Regional Data Automation Center (NARDAC) in San Diego, California. Begun in 1985, the facility includes a data processing center, training facilities, teleconferencing capabilities, telecommunications, and expanded customer service areas. Additionally, it houses a museum containing numerous artifacts, awards, and citations that Hopper received during her lengthy career.

Visit the website