On Wednesday, September 18, a group of Black women pivotal to NASA’s achievements during the space race, known as the “Hidden Figures,” were celebrated in a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on Capitol Hill.
Though befitting, it is sad that out of these four women who were key to NASA’s operations from 1930 to 1970, only one is alive to receive this honor. They served as mathematicians and engineers who contributed to the earliest American space missions by calculating rocket trajectories and Earth orbits, ultimately helping to land men on the moon.
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were honored posthumously, while Christine Darden received recognition for her significant work as an aeronautical engineer.
Thanks to Margot Lee Shetterly who wrote a book about these phenomenal women and Theodore Melfi for directing a movie based on the book. Before you plunge into either of these works, continue reading to learn about these women and how they contributed to the space race.
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson, born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, was a mathematician whose remarkable contributions played a pivotal role in the success of NASA during the early years of the space race.
She attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University) for her undergraduate studies, graduating in 1937 with degrees in mathematics and French. She later enrolled in the graduate program at West Virginia University as one of the first three African-Americans to integrate the institution in 1939, but she did not complete the degree
In 1953, she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later evolved into NASA. As a mathematician, Johnson took on complex calculations that were crucial to the success of America’s early space missions. One of her most significant contributions came during the trajectory analysis for Alan Shepard’s 1961 flight, making him the first American in space. Her precise calculations ensured the mission’s success, and her work quickly gained recognition within the agency.
Johnson’s expertise was further highlighted during John Glenn’s historic orbital flight in 1962. After initial computer calculations were deemed unreliable, Glenn requested that Johnson personally verify the numbers.
Throughout her career, Johnson contributed to numerous projects, including the Apollo 11 mission, which successfully landed humans on the moon in 1969. She also worked on the Space Shuttle and Earth Resources Satellite programs.
For decades, Katherine Johnson’s contributions went largely unrecognized, overshadowed by the broader narratives of the space race. However, her story gained widespread attention through the book and film “Hidden Figures,” which highlighted the significant roles played by Johnson and her colleagues. Taraji P Henson played Johnson in the movie so you know what to expect if you have not seen the movie. Katherine Johnson passed away at age 101 on February 24, 2020.
Dorothy Vaughan
Dorothy Vaughan was born on September 20, 1910, and died on November 10, 2008. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Vaughan earned a degree in mathematics from Wilberforce University in Ohio.
In 1943, Vaughan began her career at NACA. She was part of a group of Black women hired as “human computers” to perform complex calculations that were vital to aeronautical research.
As the first Black supervisor at NACA, she led a team of women mathematicians, helping them navigate a predominantly male and racially segregated workplace.
When NACA transitioned to NASA in 1958, segregated facilities were abolished, and Vaughan joined the new Analysis and Computation Division (ACD), a racially and gender-integrated group.
Vaughan was also forward-thinking when it came to technology. Recognizing the shift toward electronic computing, she taught herself the programming language FORTRAN and became an expert in the new computing systems being implemented at NASA.
Despite her substantial contributions, Vaughan’s achievements went largely unrecognized during her lifetime and she retired from NASA IN 1971. However, her legacy has been celebrated in recent years, particularly through the book and film “Hidden Figures” where Octavia Spencer played her character.
Mary Jackson
Mary Jackson was a mathematician and aerospace engineer and made key contributions to NASA during the early years of the American space program. Born in Hampton, Virginia, on April 9, 1921. She earned her degree in mathematics and physical science from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in 1942, and soon after, she began her career at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)
In 1951, Jackson joined the NACA as a “computer,” part of a group of Black women who performed complex calculations that supported aeronautical research. One of her significant contributions involved her work in the Flight Research Division, where she conducted crucial analyses related to airflow and the performance of aircraft. She worked on the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel.
Jackson worked various jobs, including as a receptionist and bookkeeper, before joining NACA in 1951 and she became NASA’s first Black female engineer in 1958.
Her research helped improve flight safety and efficiency, contributing to aerodynamics advancements that would benefit both military and civilian aviation.
In addition to her technical work, Jackson was a passionate advocate for education and the advancement of women and minorities in STEM fields. She actively encouraged young people to pursue careers in science and engineering, emphasizing the importance of representation and support for underrepresented groups.
Like the others, the Hidden Figures book and movie spotlighted Jackson’s remarkable contribution to American STEM history.
After a distinguished career at NASA, Jackson continued to advocate for education and worked to promote opportunities for women and minorities in engineering and mathematics until her retirement in 1985, and she died on February 11, 2005
In recognition of her contributions, the NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. was renamed the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in 2021.
Christine Darden
Christine Darden is the only one living among the women. Being way younger and born on September 10, 1942–around the time the other women were close to their NACA debut.
Christine Darden is a distinguished mathematician, aerospace engineer, and a pioneering figure at NASA. Born in Monroe, North Carolina, Darden pursued her education at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1962. Darden went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from Virginia State University in 1967.
In 1967, Darden joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a “computer.” She quickly rose through the ranks and became a key player in the development of supersonic flight technology. Her work focused primarily on understanding and mitigating the effects of sonic booms—an area of critical importance as the aerospace industry began to explore commercial supersonic travel.
In 1983, she earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from George Washington University. Darden’s life research involved complex computational analyses and simulations to predict the impact of sonic booms on communities and develop strategies to minimize their effects.
In addition to her technical contributions, Darden was a passionate advocate for diversity and education in STEM fields. Throughout her career, she actively mentored young women and underrepresented minorities, encouraging them to pursue careers in science and engineering.
While she was not one of the original “human computers,” her later work and significant contributions to the agency are an integral part of the broader narrative of women breaking barriers in the aerospace industry.
She became the first African American woman to be promoted to the position of Senior Executive Service at NASA. In March 2007, Darden retired from NASA as director of the Office of Strategic Communication and Education.
