For 226 years, men led the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the agency that fosters American innovation and entrepreneurship. Enter Michelle Lee, the agency’s first female leader.

A Silicon Valley native who built a radio with her father in the family living room, Lee grew up with female classmates who thrived in math and science.

Image: Scientists Miss Nellie A. Brown (standing), Miss Lucia McCollock, Miss Mary K. Bryan and Miss Florence Hedges (seated L-R) work at a laboratory between 1910 and 1920. Photo by National Photo Company Collection/Library of Congress