As a proud Black woman and educator, I’ve always sought inspiration from trailblazers who have paved the way for progress and innovation. In the world of technology, one such remarkable figure is Dr. Marian Croak, the Black woman who revolutionized the way we communicate through her groundbreaking work on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Dr. Croak’s journey is a testament to the brilliance and resilience of Black women in fields where they are often underrepresented. A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Southern California, she excelled in engineering and computer science at a time when few women of color were recognized in these domains. With over 200 patents to her name, Dr. Croak’s contributions have fundamentally transformed how the world connects.

Dr. Marian Croak began her career at Bell Labs (later known as AT&T) in 1982 in the Human Factors research division, looking at how technology could be used to positively impact people’s lives. She subsequently went on to work on network engineering, where she contemplated the potential of digital telecommunications.

During her career, Croak and her team created a text-to-donate system for charitable organizations that first saw widespread use after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, which raised $130,000. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, this technology raised $43 million in donations. Croak joined Google in 2014, where she is currently vice president of engineering and leads the Research Center for Responsible AI and Human Centered Technology. She also has led a team bringing broadband to developing countries in Africa and Asia.

Her pioneering work on VoIP technology enabled voice communications to be transmitted over the internet, effectively replacing traditional analog phone systems. This technology not only made global communication more accessible and affordable but also laid the foundation for modern tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and FaceTime. Today, in our hyper-connected world, we owe much of our seamless communication to her innovations.

Croak attended Princeton University for her undergraduate studies and the University of Southern California for her doctorate, focusing on statistical analysis and social psychology. With more than 200 patents to her name, Croak also works on racial justice efforts at Google and continues her goal of encouraging women and young girls in engineering.

What resonates with me most is not just Dr. Croak’s technical achievements but her humility and commitment to mentoring others. She has consistently advocated for diversity in STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of empowering women and minorities to excel in tech. Her story reminds me of the resilience I’ve seen in the women in my own family—especially my grandmother and mother—who have faced challenges with grace and determination.

As I reflect on Dr. Croak’s legacy, I am inspired to amplify her story, especially for young Black girls who might feel that a career in technology is beyond their reach. Representation matters, and seeing someone who looks like them achieve such monumental success can ignite their ambitions. Dr. Croak’s work reminds us that innovation thrives when diverse voices are at the table.

Dr. Marian Croak’s contributions are a shining example of how Black women continue to shape our world in extraordinary ways. Her legacy is one of empowerment, ingenuity, and boundless possibility—a legacy that inspires me as an educator, creator, and advocate for the next generation.