Edith "Edie" Windsor (1929 - 2017)

In honor of the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S., let us remember advocate, Edith Windsor, who was the lead plaintiff in the case that led to the landmark ruling. A technology manager and considered a pioneer in operating systems, Windsor worked at IBM for 16 years, becoming their highest level senior programmer. In 1975, she founded her own software development firm, PC Classics, devoting much of her time to numerous LGBTQIA+ causes.. The nearly 44-year relationship between psychiatrist Thea Speyer and Windsor ended with Speyer’s passing in 2009, but they were able to be legally married in Canada in 2007. Windsor’s second wife, financial advisor/activist Judith Kasen is continuing the legacy of her trailblazing spouse.