Her responsibilities included overseeing computer operators and programmers. It is the unique combination of education, experience and determination which makes her an excellent manager and powerful role model. Find out, early, if this field is for you. Load up on the math and science courses. As a recruiter she was always concerned about what classes students had taken in order to prepare them.
Community service is a big plus.
Most students can do well in school if they really try but academic courses can reveal little about character. There is a big difference between working at a Large company during the summer vs. working at Mc Donald's. These groups are valuable in providing networking resources for females. There are few other places where women can find role models and mentors in technical fields. Mentors are very important.