The first woman to earn a degree in computer science from a prestigious university was Margaret Hamilton from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the 1960s. Hamilton was a pioneering computer scientist who played a crucial role in developing the software for NASA's Apollo space missions. Her work in software engineering helped establish principles still used today. Hamilton is often recognized for her efforts to create the first software for real-time embedded systems, setting a standard for future generations in the field of computer science.