The Women in Bitcoin Who Were Overlooked

Women Leading the Bitcoin Movement in 2024: A Global Showcase

In a space historically dominated by men, women from around the world have been making remarkable strides in the Bitcoin ecosystem. From Africa to Latin America, Southeast Asia, and beyond, these women are proving that Bitcoin is shaping lives and economies in profound and transformative ways. Here’s an inspiring list of trailblazing women who have been pivotal in advancing Bitcoin adoption and education in 2024.

Farida Bemba Nabourema — Empowering Bitcoin Adoption in Africa

Farida Nabourema from Togo is a dedicated human rights defender and activist. As the lead organizer of the African Bitcoin Conference, she has connected Bitcoin enthusiasts from across the continent with global developers and advocates. This platform has become a critical space for Bitcoin conversations and education in Africa.

Reyna Chicas — Educating El Salvador

Reyna Chicas, based in El Salvador, was recently promoted to Director of Education for Mi Primer Bitcoin. Two years ago, she attended a conference as a participant, and today, she is at the forefront of Bitcoin education and also serves on the board of the organization. Her work inspires a new wave of Bitcoin users in El Salvador.

Roya Mahboob — A Tech Pioneer for Afghan Women

Roya Mahboob was among Afghanistan’s first female tech CEOs. She founded the Digital Citizen Fund to empower Afghan women through technological literacy. In 2024, she expanded her efforts to schools in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal, opening IT centers for young girls to foster future tech leaders.

Give Rezkitha — Building Bitcoin Communities in Southeast Asia

Give Rezkitha is a key force in promoting Bitcoin in Indonesia. As the Community Master for Southeast Asia, she co-founded the Indonesian Bitcoin Community and played a significant role in organizing the Indonesia Bitcoin Conference. Globally, she represented Southeast Asia at major Bitcoin events like the Oslo Freedom Forum and Bitcoin 2024.

Lorraine Marcel — Revolutionizing Bitcoin Education in Africa

Kenyan innovator Lorraine Marcel founded Bitcoin Dada as a platform for educating African women about Bitcoin. Her efforts earned her the Most Impactful African Bitcoiner of 2024 award. Lorraine’s work is empowering women to become leaders in the Bitcoin space, creating ripple effects throughout the continent.

Isabella Santos — Leading Bitcoin Media in Mexico

Isabella Santos, co-founder of BTC Isla, a Mexican Bitcoin community, and Get Based, a Bitcoin media outlet, is a powerhouse in the Latin American Bitcoin movement. She made waves globally as the host of “Bitcoin Backstage,” offering behind-the-scenes insights from the world’s top Bitcoin conferences.

Noelyne Sumba — Expanding Bitcoin Access in Kenya

Based in Kenya, Noelyne Sumba focused on promoting Bitcoin adoption through mobile wallets compatible with feature phones, enabling financial inclusion in underserved regions. Her translation of "The Bitcoin Standard" into Swahili further strengthened Bitcoin education in East Africa.

Masieh Christ — Supporting Women through Bitcoin

Masieh Christ, with Mauritian and Ugandan roots, advocates for using Bitcoin for peacebuilding. Her organization empowers women in Somalia by teaching them how to use Bitcoin for political fundraising to support female candidates. She also delivered a compelling talk on Bitcoin’s role in counter-terrorism efforts at the Oslo Freedom Forum.

Janet Maingi — Electrifying Rural Africa through Bitcoin

Kenyan entrepreneur Janet Maingi co-founded Gridless Compute, which combines Bitcoin mining with sustainable energy solutions. In 2024, her company not only mined Bitcoin profitably but also brought electricity to rural communities in Africa, showcasing the potential of Bitcoin mining in fostering development.

Mary Imasuen — Amplifying Bitcoin on the Global Stage

Mary Imasuen, of Nigerian and Filipino heritage, serves as the Global Marketing Manager for Fedi. She uses her role to champion Bitcoin education and regularly speaks at industry events. Her passion for Bitcoin-only gaming has also gained her recognition across the Bitcoin and gaming communities.

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Honorable Mentions:

1. Renata Rodrigues (Brazil) — Head of Marketing at Fedi and a staunch community advocate.
2. Lorena Ortiz (Mexico) — Latin America Community Master of Fedi.
3. Edith Mpumwire (Uganda) — Community Manager at Bitcoin Dada.
4. Sabina Gitau (Kenya) — Co-founder of Tando, promoting sustainability in Bitcoin.
5. Isabella Chekovich (Russia) — Advocate for privacy in Bitcoin transactions, part of the Human Rights Foundation’s Freedom team.
6. Ella Hough (USA) — Helped launch Cornell University’s independent Bitcoin study program.

Women’s Role in Bitcoin’s Global Evolution

Although this piece highlights a few incredible women, countless others are making a significant impact but remain under-acknowledged. These pioneers, however, share a common determination: to use Bitcoin as a tool for financial freedom, innovation, and empowerment across diverse communities worldwide.

Let’s celebrate their achievements and advocate for greater gender equity in the financial revolution driven by Bitcoin.