The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia
A story about new beginnings: how a refugee became one of the first woman tech executives and helped modernize her homeland, Latvia

The perfect gift for graduates, immigrants, and dreamers everywhere.


“Dagnija Lacis’ memoir is a story of courage, upheaval, and persistence... Watching through her memoir, we see her tenacity and resilience when confronted with obstacles. The way she always finds a path forward is inspirational for us all.” —Lynn Miller, author of Sweating Bullets, historical fiction

When Soviet tanks rolled into Latvia in 1944, Dagnija Lacis was just a baby. Her family fled, spending five years in a displaced persons camp before resettling in Indianapolis. What began as a story of survival became a groundbreaking life in technology and international relations.

Dagnija’s approach and message—perfect for those launching their lives and careers—is simple and powerful: “Stick to your goals. When confronted with obstacles, don’t give up. Find another path forward!”

By 1964, Dagnija had shattered her first glass ceiling—becoming the first woman programmer at Burroughs Corporation in Detroit, then the world’s second-largest computer company.

She didn’t stop there. Rising through the ranks, she became the first female line vice president at Burroughs (now Unisys) , making her mark in the male-dominated world of tech leadership.

But her most daring chapter came next.

When the Berlin Wall fell, Latvia called her home, not as a visitor, but as a visionary. Tasked by the newly independent government, Dagnija

Modernized the Foreign Ministry and national systems using Western technology
Founded Baltic Technology Group (BTG) , bridging expertise across the U.S. and Latvia
Connected Latvia to the global economy, bringing SWIFT to the region

This powerful memoir charts:
• A woman’s rise in a male-dominated tech industry
• Firsthand experiences as a country transitioned from communism to democracy
• The behind-the-scenes effort to build a nation’s digital backbone
• Practical strategies for resilience, leadership, and forging your own path

Why readers love this book:
For graduates, immigrants and dreamers:
Proof that perseverance and ingenuity can shape your future—and change the world
For Women in STEM & Business: a real-life “Lean In” story—packed with strategies for navigating male-dominated fields
For History & Tech enthusiasts: A firsthand account of Eastern Europe’s transformation after the Cold War

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The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia
A story about new beginnings: how a refugee became one of the first woman tech executives and helped modernize her homeland, Latvia

The perfect gift for graduates, immigrants, and dreamers everywhere.


“Dagnija Lacis’ memoir is a story of courage, upheaval, and persistence... Watching through her memoir, we see her tenacity and resilience when confronted with obstacles. The way she always finds a path forward is inspirational for us all.” —Lynn Miller, author of Sweating Bullets, historical fiction

When Soviet tanks rolled into Latvia in 1944, Dagnija Lacis was just a baby. Her family fled, spending five years in a displaced persons camp before resettling in Indianapolis. What began as a story of survival became a groundbreaking life in technology and international relations.

Dagnija’s approach and message—perfect for those launching their lives and careers—is simple and powerful: “Stick to your goals. When confronted with obstacles, don’t give up. Find another path forward!”

By 1964, Dagnija had shattered her first glass ceiling—becoming the first woman programmer at Burroughs Corporation in Detroit, then the world’s second-largest computer company.

She didn’t stop there. Rising through the ranks, she became the first female line vice president at Burroughs (now Unisys) , making her mark in the male-dominated world of tech leadership.

But her most daring chapter came next.

When the Berlin Wall fell, Latvia called her home, not as a visitor, but as a visionary. Tasked by the newly independent government, Dagnija

Modernized the Foreign Ministry and national systems using Western technology
Founded Baltic Technology Group (BTG) , bridging expertise across the U.S. and Latvia
Connected Latvia to the global economy, bringing SWIFT to the region

This powerful memoir charts:
• A woman’s rise in a male-dominated tech industry
• Firsthand experiences as a country transitioned from communism to democracy
• The behind-the-scenes effort to build a nation’s digital backbone
• Practical strategies for resilience, leadership, and forging your own path

Why readers love this book:
For graduates, immigrants and dreamers:
Proof that perseverance and ingenuity can shape your future—and change the world
For Women in STEM & Business: a real-life “Lean In” story—packed with strategies for navigating male-dominated fields
For History & Tech enthusiasts: A firsthand account of Eastern Europe’s transformation after the Cold War

28.95 In Stock
The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia

The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia

by Dagnija Lacis
The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia

The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia

by Dagnija Lacis

Hardcover

$28.95 
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Overview

A story about new beginnings: how a refugee became one of the first woman tech executives and helped modernize her homeland, Latvia

The perfect gift for graduates, immigrants, and dreamers everywhere.


“Dagnija Lacis’ memoir is a story of courage, upheaval, and persistence... Watching through her memoir, we see her tenacity and resilience when confronted with obstacles. The way she always finds a path forward is inspirational for us all.” —Lynn Miller, author of Sweating Bullets, historical fiction

When Soviet tanks rolled into Latvia in 1944, Dagnija Lacis was just a baby. Her family fled, spending five years in a displaced persons camp before resettling in Indianapolis. What began as a story of survival became a groundbreaking life in technology and international relations.

Dagnija’s approach and message—perfect for those launching their lives and careers—is simple and powerful: “Stick to your goals. When confronted with obstacles, don’t give up. Find another path forward!”

By 1964, Dagnija had shattered her first glass ceiling—becoming the first woman programmer at Burroughs Corporation in Detroit, then the world’s second-largest computer company.

She didn’t stop there. Rising through the ranks, she became the first female line vice president at Burroughs (now Unisys) , making her mark in the male-dominated world of tech leadership.

But her most daring chapter came next.

When the Berlin Wall fell, Latvia called her home, not as a visitor, but as a visionary. Tasked by the newly independent government, Dagnija

Modernized the Foreign Ministry and national systems using Western technology
Founded Baltic Technology Group (BTG) , bridging expertise across the U.S. and Latvia
Connected Latvia to the global economy, bringing SWIFT to the region

This powerful memoir charts:
• A woman’s rise in a male-dominated tech industry
• Firsthand experiences as a country transitioned from communism to democracy
• The behind-the-scenes effort to build a nation’s digital backbone
• Practical strategies for resilience, leadership, and forging your own path

Why readers love this book:
For graduates, immigrants and dreamers:
Proof that perseverance and ingenuity can shape your future—and change the world
For Women in STEM & Business: a real-life “Lean In” story—packed with strategies for navigating male-dominated fields
For History & Tech enthusiasts: A firsthand account of Eastern Europe’s transformation after the Cold War


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9798990489004
Publisher: OakTreeBear Publishing
Publication date: 03/18/2025
Pages: 288
Product dimensions: 7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dagnija Lacis born in Latvia and forced to flee with her family to a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1944. Five years later, her family, penniless, ended up in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dagnija attended, and graduated from, Butler University. After marrying Andris, they moved to Detroit, Michigan. They now live in West Bloomfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
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