# Kathleen O'Brien

> American programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q64760438](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64760438)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kathleen-o-brien-q64760438

## Summary
Kathleen O'Brien is an American programmer and software engineer recognized for her work with Shepardson Microsystems. She is identified as a significant female figure in the computing industry, specifically noted for her contributions to early software development.

## Biography
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Known for:** Computer programming and software engineering
- **Employer(s):** Shepardson Microsystems
- **Field(s):** Computer Software, Software Engineering
- **Gender:** Female
- **Aliases:** Kathleen O'Brian

## Contributions
Kathleen O'Brien has contributed to the field of computer science as a programmer and software engineer. As defined by her professional classification, her role involves writing computer software and practicing software engineering. She is specifically associated with Shepardson Microsystems, a company known for its work in the microcomputer industry (specifically regarding the Atari 8-bit family, though the source text only explicitly names the employer).

Her work is considered significant enough to be cataloged in major authority controls, including the Library of Congress and the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF). Furthermore, her contributions are highlighted by Wikimedia projects focused on closing the content gender gap, specifically "Women in Red" and "Atari Women," indicating her relevance as a historical subject in the documentation of women in technology.

## FAQs
### Q: Who is Kathleen O'Brien?
A: Kathleen O'Brien is an American programmer and software engineer best known for her employment at Shepardson Microsystems. She is a documented figure in the history of women in computing.

### Q: What company did Kathleen O'Brien work for?
A: According to available records, Kathleen O'Brien was employed by Shepardson Microsystems.

### Q: Is Kathleen O'Brien recognized in any major libraries or archives?
A: Yes, she holds a Library of Congress Authority ID (n81011784) and a VIAF ID (304981688), confirming her status as a recognized individual in bibliographic records.

## Why They Matter
Kathleen O'Brien represents the often-underrepresented demographic of women in early computer software development. Her inclusion in the "Atari Women" and "Women in Red" Wikimedia focus lists underscores her importance to researchers and historians aiming to correct the gender imbalance in historical tech narratives.

By working as a programmer and software engineer at Shepardson Microsystems, she contributed to the foundational era of the software industry. Her presence in authoritative databases like the Library of Congress ensures that her role in computing history is preserved for future analysis and reference.

## Notable For
*   **Professional Role:** Serving as a programmer and software engineer during the formative years of the microcomputer industry.
*   **Association:** Employment with Shepardson Microsystems.
*   **Gender Equity Advocacy:** Being a subject of focus for the "Atari Women" and "Women in Red" projects, which aim to increase the visibility of women on Wikipedia and other knowledge bases.
*   **Authority Control:** Possession of a Library of Congress Authority ID and VIAF ID, signifying verified historical notability.

## Body

### Professional Identity
Kathleen O'Brien is classified as a human, specifically a female citizen of the United States. Her primary professional identity is that of a programmer—a person who writes computer software—and a software engineer. These classifications place her within the broader category of software developers.

### Affiliations
O'Brien is professionally linked to **Shepardson Microsystems**. This affiliation is verified through archival references, including an interview conducted by the ANTIC Atari 8-bit Podcast.

### Records and Authority
To ensure accurate identification and attribution, Kathleen O'Brien is tracked in several international authority files:
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n81011784
*   **VIAF ID:** 304981688
*   **Wikidata:** She is listed as an instance of a human with the alias "Kathleen O'Brian."

### Project Recognition
O'Brien is featured on two specific focus lists within the Wikimedia movement:
1.  **Atari Women:** A project dedicated to documenting women involved with Atari computing.
2.  **Women in Red:** A project focused on turning "red links" (missing articles) into "blue links" (existing articles) regarding notable women.

## References

1. [Source](http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/antic-interview-21-the-atari-8-bit-podcast-kathleen-obrien-oss)