# Mary Davis

> American software engineer

**Wikidata**: [Q133841735](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133841735)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mary-davis-q133841735

## Summary
Mary Davis was an American software engineer and computer scientist who dedicated her career to advancing technology, notably through her 32-year tenure at Progress Software. She is recognized for her contributions to the industry and her legacy through a scholarship supporting women in STEM.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 5, 1940, in Engadine, Michigan  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Employer(s)**: Progress Software (1981–2013)  
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, software engineering  

## Contributions  
Mary Davis spent her career at Progress Software, where she worked from 1981 until her retirement in 2013. While specific technical projects are not detailed in the source material, her enduring impact is marked by the **Mary Székely Scholarship for Women in STEM**, established in her honor. This scholarship, created posthumously, reflects her commitment to fostering diversity in technology. Through her long-term role at Progress Software, she contributed to the company’s growth and innovation in the software industry.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Mary Davis best known for?  
A: She is best known for her 32-year career at Progress Software and the scholarship named in her honor to support women pursuing STEM careers.  

### Q: When did Mary Davis pass away?  
A: She died on June 3, 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts, after a battle with cancer.  

### Q: What inspired the Mary Székely Scholarship?  
A: The scholarship was established to honor her legacy as a pioneering female engineer and to encourage women to enter STEM fields.  

## Why They Matter  
Mary Davis’s career exemplified the critical role of women in shaping the software industry. Her sustained contributions at Progress Software, spanning over three decades, helped drive technological advancements. The scholarship in her name ensures her legacy continues to empower future generations of women in STEM, addressing historical gender disparities in the field. Without advocates like Davis, the path for women in technology would remain less illuminated.  

## Notable For  
- **Namesake of the Mary Székely Scholarship for Women in STEM**, promoting gender diversity in technology.  
- **32-year career at Progress Software** (1981–2013), contributing to the company’s evolution.  
- **Pioneering female figure** in software engineering during a male-dominated era.  

## Body  
### Career  
Mary Davis began her career at Progress Software in 1981, working as a software engineer during the company’s formative years. She remained with the organization until 2013, a period marked by significant growth in the software sector. While specific projects are not enumerated, her long-term dedication underscores her role in sustaining the company’s technical infrastructure.  

### Legacy  
Davis’s legacy is institutionalized through the **Mary Székely Scholarship**, which provides financial support to women pursuing higher education in STEM disciplines. Announced in her obituary and detailed on Progress Software’s website, the scholarship honors her career and commitment to equity in technology.  

### Personal Life  
Born Mary Louise Davis on September 5, 1940, in Engadine, Michigan, she later adopted the married name Székely. She died on June 3, 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts, after a battle with cancer. Her obituary highlights her professional achievements and enduring impact on her community.  

### Recognition  
Though no awards are listed in the source material, her namesake scholarship and recognition by Progress Software as a “pioneer” affirm her influence within the industry. Her career trajectory—from a small Michigan town to a decades-long role at a global software company—embodies the expanding opportunities for women in mid-to-late 20th-century STEM fields.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/mary-szekely-obituary?pid=193121372)
2. [Source](https://www.progress.com/company/40-years)
3. [Source](https://www.progress.com/social-responsibility/women-in-stem-scholarships)
4. [Source](https://www.progress.com/blogs/mary-sz%C3%A9kely-scholarship-for-women-in-stem-honors-progress-pioneer)