The programmer role also changed, as far as I'm aware. I think there used to be more separation between program designers/architects and the people who would translate the requirements and punch/verify cards, and operate switchboards. I think the people at the bottom of that chain were called programmers.

The definition of the role is at least somewhat different today. It could also have something to do with the wide availability of women who were trained typists in the '50s and '60s, as keyboards were used to punch cards/tape.

I won't purport to be an expert on exactly how that phenomenon came about, I've not seen a satisfactory explanation of it.