Mary Ann Horton

Dr. Mary Ann Horton is a computer scientist, Internet pioneer, transgender activist, author, and speaker whose contributions to digital communication have influenced how billions of people connect. Horton earned a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley, where she created the first binary email attachment tool and led Usenet, an early social media network. Addressing the need to email binary files when UNIX email supported only plain text, Horton developed the programs "uuencode" and "uudecode" to embed and extract binary files within text email. Uuencode became the standard for sending binary files by email, and when the PC email program "cc:Mail" gained widespread use, it incorporated a file attachment feature using uuencode formatting.

Horton's technical work extended beyond email attachments. She contributed to Berkeley UNIX (BSD), including the vi editor and terminfo database, and led the expansion of Usenet. At Bell Labs, Horton improved email usability, expanded [email protected] email access, and published Internet standards for email and Usenet. She introduced Usenet's A News system to Berkeley, facilitated its growth from a 10-site network, integrated support for Berknet and ARPANET, and created gateways between ARPANET mailing lists and Usenet newsgroups. Later, Horton worked for San Diego Gas & Electric supporting the SCADA system for the transmission grid and led cybersecurity efforts following the Northeast power blackout.

In addition to her technical achievements, Horton is recognized as a pioneering transgender activist. She persuaded Lucent Technologies to become the first Fortune 500 company to add transgender-inclusive language to its nondiscrimination policy and to provide coverage for transition care and surgery. Her advocacy was soon adopted by companies including Apple and Avaya, and Out & Equal Workplace Associates honored her with the Trailblazer Outie Award. Horton supported the addition of transgender-inclusive language at Apple, Xerox, Chase, Bank One, and Sempra Energy. She also conducted research demonstrating that transgender medical coverage would have minimal cost impact for companies.

On the 25th anniversary of Lucent's nondiscrimination policy, Horton released the memoir "Trailblazer: Lighting the Path for Transgender Equality in Corporate America," recounting her experiences as a transgender woman and activist. She is also the author of technical reference books such as "Portable C Software" and the viral Internet parody "How the Grinch Stole Marriage." Horton's work has been featured in Daily Beast, Out Magazine, Google Arts and Culture, Salon, Diversity Factor, SHRM, L-Mag, Nokia, Faces of Open Source, and Out TV. As a keynote speaker, Horton addresses topics including LGBTQ issues, DEI, and diversity and inclusion, drawing on her experience in both Internet architecture and corporate equality advocacy.