Grace Hopper

Obama Presidential Center Honoree

Headshot of Grace Hopper

Space Name: Grace Hopper East Dining Terrace | Forum | Level 1 | Tafari’s Kitchen

Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral who shaped modern computing. After earning a master’s degree in mathematics from Yale, she created the first program that let computers translate written instructions into code and helped develop an early programming language. Renowned for her tenacity, Hopper’s life is a testament to how curiosity and persistence can lead to extraordinary innovation.

With gratitude to The Goldberg Family Foundation

“ We are honored to support the Obama Foundation and its mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. With backgrounds in programming, we are especially proud to recognize Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, whose pioneering contributions helped shape modern computing and expanded opportunities for generations of innovators. Her extraordinary achievements as a computer scientist, educator, and military leader exemplify the power of curiosity, perseverance, and service. We hope her legacy continues to inspire future generations—especially young women—to pursue bold ideas and help shape the future.”

–Cindy and Evan Goldberg

Legacy on Campus

  • Tafari’s Kitchen

    Tafari’s Kitchen is a culinary experience honoring the legacy of former White House Chef, Tafari Campbell and the local food traditions of Chicago. Curated by Chef Cliff Rome, Tafari’s Kitchen is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that celebrates the connections we make through food.

  • Futures Series

    Discover our series designed exclusively to support teens exploring career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished global leaders. 

    Learn More

Make a gift in honor of your heroes

Your honorary gift will help us inspire, empower, and connect leaders from around the world to take on the biggest challenges of our time.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

John Lewis

Meet More Honorees

Through the honoree naming initiative at the Obama Presidential Center, we are partnering with our donors to celebrate a part of the history in which the Obama story is so deeply rooted by associating a named space with a hero, moment, or person "on whose shoulders we stand"—an honoree who made the Obamas’ story possible.

Meet More Honorees