Hacker News Reader

MIT - ten years behind some other places in this regard, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kenneth_Keller

As far as I can tell, MIT didn't have a CS department until 1975 (when it was added to the EE department to become EECS; the same year Irene Greif in the OP got her PhD).

Before the 70s, many schools considered CS as part of a Math degree or an EE degree.

Cite: https://www.eecs.mit.edu/about-us/mit-eecs-department-facts

Why is it MIT that's behind? Is it MIT's fault they they haven't awarded any to female students?

I dont think you can fault MIT here. The first MIT CS degree was awarded in 1975 the same year that saw the first female MIT CS degree awarded.

https://www.eecs.mit.edu/about-us/mit-eecs-department-facts

Reply on news.ycombinator.com