Katherine Johnson finished high school at the age of 14. And college at 18. She really, really liked math.
NASA, and its predecessor NACA, was one of relatively few places educated black women could find a job. They worked as computers, people trained to do exacting calculations before we had machines that could do it. It wasn’t exactly perfect, considering they were segregated from the white women, and no women were ever invited to meetings. Johnson, however, was so outstanding that she was soon promoted, and insistedshe participate in meetings with the white male engineers. She soon became one of the people entrusted with getting an American into space. She calculated the trajectory of Alan Shepherd’s historic flight. And although they had machine computers by the time it was John Glenn’s turn, he didn’t trust the mechanical calculations. He wouldn’t fly until Katherine Johnson had checked the numbers and said they were all right.
Source/2 / Katherine Johnson’s story will be featured in the upcoming film Hidden Figures. Check out the trailer:
Katherine Johnson is my freaking hero. I aspire to have her level of genius.
I was watching Hidden Figures tonight, and watching Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary work their magic actually made me tear up and I’m not entirely sure why.
These women were fucking brilliant and the fact that we didn’t hear about them until 60 years later breaks my heart.
Imagine what they could’ve done with our modern technology.
Imagine what leaps they could have achieved if they had free reign to hone their brilliant minds.
I hope their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are so proud of what they did, because I certainly am.
Hidden Figures (2016) Dir: Theodore Melfi DOP: Mandy Walker “So yes, they let women do some things at NASA, Mr. Johnson. And it’s not because we wear skirts. It’s because we wear glasses. Have a good day.”
Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer.
We’re saddened by the passing of celebrated #HiddenFigures mathematician Katherine Johnson. She passed away at 101 years old.
An America hero, Johnson’s legacy of excellence broke down racial and social barriers while helping get our space agency off the ground.
Once a “human computer”, she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space.
And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math.
As a girl, Katherine Johnson counted everything. As a mathematician, her calculations proved critical to our early successes in space travel.
With slide rules and pencils, Katherine Johnson’s brilliant mind helped launch our nation into space. No longer a Hidden Figure, her bravery and commitment to excellence leaves an eternal legacy for us all.
“We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.” - Katherine Johnson 1918 -2020
May she rest in peace, and may her powerful legacy inspire generations to come! What does Katherine Johnson’s legacy mean to you? Share in the comments.
Women of NASA. A great choice for collectors, for scientists, for aspiring kids, for creator Maia Weinstock and most importantly for Margaret Hamilton, Katherine Johnson, Sally Ride, Nancy Grace Roman, and Mae Jemison.
Unfortunately there is still no update on the Old Fishing Store and Saturn V the previously confirmed upcoming LEGO Ideas sets.
Spencer Crew, interim director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, released the following statement on the death of noted mathematician and one of NASA’s “human computers,” Katherine Johnson.
It is with deep sadness that we at the National Museum of African American History and Culture mourn the passing of noted NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson.…
Hidden Figures was so inspiring and gratifying to watch, just got back from the theatre and had to immediately make this! Here’s to all the women, especially of color, who aren’t recognized in their time but still accomplish amazing things in spite of the world
I HAD TO DRAW THEM. Hidden Figures is going to be so beautiful. It’s such a needed and vital film. I remember being 13 and first seeing Taraji P. Henson as “April” in a Tyler Perry film. I remember that being one of the first, true times where I was seeing a colored woman, that wasn’t a Disney princess, being strong. That moment meant so much to me as a young, brown girl. Taraji has inspired me so damn much, and is my favorite actress to this very day. Octavia Spencer is a goddess, and I can never get enough of her grace. Janelle Monáe uses her “electric” music in an amazing and empowering way. To anyone who isn’t familiar with these three ladies, I highly recommend you watch their other films and listen to their songs. There are so many flawless actresses of color, and these are three of the finest. The characters that they are portraying are just as important. Little colored girls need to hear and see these triumphs. Again, if you are not familiar with the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, or Mary Jackson please look into them. There’s an excellent nonfiction book you can read which is actually called Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly if you want to learn more ;)
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