# Steve Shirley

> British businesswoman and philanthropist (1933–2025)

**Wikidata**: [Q214661](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214661)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Shirley)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/steve-shirley

## Summary
Steve Shirley was a British businesswoman, philanthropist, and computer scientist who founded F International, a software company that primarily employed women. She was known for her pioneering work in promoting women's rights in technology and her significant philanthropic contributions, particularly in autism research.

## Biography
- Born: September 16, 1933, in Dortmund
- Nationality: Germany (birth), United Kingdom (from 1951)
- Education: Sir John Cass College
- Known for: Founding F International, a software company that primarily employed women
- Employer(s): Post Office Research Station, F International
- Field(s): Computer science, business, philanthropy

## Contributions
Steve Shirley founded F International in 1962, initially operating from her home with a team of women programmers. The company grew to become a successful software business, with Shirley serving as CEO until 1987. She authored "Let IT Go" in 2012, documenting her journey as a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated tech industry. Her philanthropic efforts included founding the Shirley Foundation in 1986, which has supported autism research and support services. Her work in both business and philanthropy has been recognized with numerous awards, including becoming a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2000 and a Companion of Honour in 2017.

## FAQs
### Q: Why is she known as "Steve Shirley" when her first name is Stephanie?
A: Shirley adopted the professional name "Steve" during her career in the technology industry, as indicated by her aliases including both "Steve Shirley" and "Stephanie Shirley" in official records.

### Q: What was Shirley's involvement with autism research?
A: Shirley established the Shirley Foundation in 1986, which has supported autism research and services, as evidenced by her philanthropic activities related to this cause.

### Q: What barriers did Shirley face as a woman in the tech industry?
A: Shirley experienced gender discrimination in the male-dominated tech industry of the 1950s-60s, which led to her adopting a masculine professional name to navigate workplace biases.

### Q: What recognition did Shirley receive for her work?
A: Shirley received numerous honors including the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2000), the Mountbatten Medal (1999), the Companion of Honour (2017), and was listed in BBC's 100 Women in 2013.

## Why They Matter
Steve Shirley's work created significant opportunities for women in the technology sector at a time when it was predominantly male. By founding F International, she established a successful software business that employed women programmers, demonstrating their capabilities in technical fields. Her philanthropic efforts through the Shirley Foundation have advanced autism research and support services. The recognition she received from both government and professional organizations underscores the impact of her contributions to both the technology industry and social causes.

## Notable For
- Founded F International, a software company that primarily employed women
- Established the Shirley Foundation in 1986 for autism research
- Received the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2000) and the Companion of Honour (2017)
- Authored "Let IT Go" (2012), documenting her experiences as a female tech entrepreneur
- Listed in BBC's 100 Women in 2013

## Body
### Early Life and Education
- Born Vera Stephanie Buchthal on September 16, 1933, in Dortmund, Germany
- Part of the Kindertransport program in 1939
- Moved to the UK in 1951
- Attended Sir John Cass College

### Career in Technology
- Worked at the Post Office Research Station
- Founded F International in 1962
- Initially operated from home with a team of women programmers
- Served as CEO until 1987
- Adopted the professional name "Steve"

### Philanthropic Work
- Founded the Shirley Foundation in 1986
- Supported autism research and services
- Published memoir "Let IT Go" (2012) documenting her experiences

### Recognition and Legacy
- Received Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2000)
- Received Mountbatten Medal (1999)
- Received Companion of the Honour (2017)
- Listed in BBC's 100 Women (2013)
- Elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
- Elected Fellow of the British Computer Society (2021)
- Died on August 9, 2025, in Reading, UK, at age 91

## References

1. [Dame Steve Shirley, philanthropist and software entrepreneur who shattered the glass ceiling. 2025](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2025/08/11/dame-steve-shirley-computer-entrepreneur-died-obituary/)
2. [Stephanie Shirley, Who Created a Tech World for Women, Dies at 91. The New York Times. 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/business/stephanie-shirley-dead.html)
3. The International Who's Who of Women 2006
4. Companies House
5. Who's Who
6. [New Years Honours List — United Kingdom. The London Gazette. 1999](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/55710/data.pdf)
7. [The Mountbatten Medallists. Institution of Engineering and Technology](https://www.theiet.org/membership/library-and-archives/the-iet-archives/iet-history/awards-and-prizes-index/the-mountbatten-medallists)
8. [100 Women: Who took part?. 2013](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-24579511)
9. [OII Internet Awards 2014: Interview with Dame Stephanie Shirley](https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/oii-internet-awards-2014-interview-dame-stephanie-shirley)
10. [Dame Stephanie Shirley | BCS](https://www.bcs.org/events/awards-and-competitions/distinguished-fellowship-distfbcs/roll-of-distinguished-fellows/dame-stephanie-shirley/)
11. [Honorary doctorate cumulative list. The Open University](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
12. [A tribute to our founder Dame Stephanie Shirley. Autistica](https://www.autistica.org.uk/news/a-tribute-to-our-founder-dame-stephanie-shirley-ch)
13. [Source](https://ethw.org/Oral-History:Dame_Stephanie_(Steve)_Shirley)
14. Google Knowledge Graph
15. BBC Things
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/dame-stephanie-shirley-107Zzr3nq1/appearances)