The “Women of ENIAC.” For their history, read “Programming the ENIAC” and “When Computers Were Women.”

My reply to an anonymous commenter on my recent column about the next US CTO deserved to be edited and posted separately: while the percentage of women in leadership roles at at Fortune 500 companies remains small, recent research from management science leaves little doubt about the effectiveness of their leadership. According to at least one analysis from the American Psychological Society, people generally do not doubt the leadership abilities of women.

The primary reason Megan Smith is the new United States chief technology officer is because she’s immensely capable, and has proved it over the decades since she graduated from MIT. The nation is fortunate that someone of her talents has chosen to enter public service.

I hope Smith inspires other young women to pursue careers in technology, shine, and then apply their talents on behalf of their fellow citizens. Including women matters for the future of technology and society.

(Thanks to Chris Brogan for reminding me of why highlighting a comment can be valuable.)