Born: 1921 (Feymore, County Donegal, Ireland)
Biography:
Kathleen Rita Antonelli, also known as Kay McNulty, was an exceptional computer programmer and one of the foremost contributors to the early development of computing technology. Born on February 12, 1921, in Feymore, part of the Gaeltacht area of County Donegal in Ireland, she grew up in a family deeply affected by the events of the Irish War of Independence. Her father, James McNulty, an officer in the Irish Republican Army, was imprisoned on the night of Kay’s birth. After his release, the McNulty family immigrated to the United States in 1924 and settled in Philadelphia.
In her early years in Philadelphia, Kay McNulty faced the challenge of adapting to a new country and culture, not speaking a word of English at the time of her arrival. Her education began in parochial grade school, where she quickly overcame the language barrier and excelled academically. She continued her studies at J. W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School, where her passion for mathematics began to emerge. McNulty’s high school curriculum included several advanced math courses, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and solid geometry. Her exceptional aptitude for mathematics set the stage for her future accomplishments.
After graduating from high school, McNulty enrolled in Chestnut Hill College for Women, where she pursued her love for mathematics. She seized every opportunity to expand her mathematical knowledge by taking courses in a wide range of subjects, including spherical trigonometry, differential calculus, projective geometry, partial differential equations, and statistics. In June 1942, McNulty graduated with a degree in mathematics, an achievement that distinguished her in a class that had only a few mathematics majors among the 92 women.
Eager to find a relevant job in the field of mathematics, McNulty discovered that actuarial positions in insurance companies required a master’s degree. Realizing the importance of business training in enhancing her employability, she enrolled in business courses while still completing her college education. McNulty studied accounting, money and banking, business law, economics, and statistics, with the goal of complementing her mathematical expertise with practical business skills.
McNulty’s career took a momentous turn when she came across a Civil Service advertisement for a job in the field of mathematics. The position was open at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, and McNulty immediately recognized the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge field. She applied and was accepted, joining a team of pioneering computer programmers working on the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers.
As part of the team of six original ENIAC programmers, McNulty played a pivotal role in the development and programming of this groundbreaking machine. The other five programmers were Betty Holberton, Ruth Teitelbaum, Frances Spence, Marlyn Meltzer, and Jean Bartik. McNulty’s expertise in mathematics and her exceptional analytical skills were crucial in transforming abstract mathematical concepts into programs that could be executed by the ENIAC. Her contributions were instrumental in the success of the ENIAC and paved the way for the future of computer programming.
Throughout her career, McNulty continued to demonstrate her commitment to advancing computing technology. She later worked on the development of the UNIVAC computer, contributing to the advancement of this revolutionary technology. With her exceptional programming skills and her ability to bridge the gap between mathematics and computer science, McNulty left an indelible mark on the field of computing.
Apart from her achievements as a computer programmer, Kathleen Rita Antonelli, or Kay McNulty, is remembered as an inspirational figure in women’s history. As one of the few women in the field of computer programming during her time, she defied societal expectations and shattered gender barriers, proving that women have the intellect and capability to excel in a field dominated by men. McNulty’s dedication, expertise, and passion for mathematics and technology serve as a testament to the pioneering spirit of women in computing.