While numbers seem to have no heart when they are just on paper, numbers can change history when they are in the hands of someone capable. Katherine Johnson demonstrated this throughout her life. She was a brilliant African American mathematician whose efforts at NASA contributed to the success of the United States’ space program. NASA’s documents state that she did the math that put the first American into orbit and then, she helped strategize a way for astronauts to land on the Moon and return safely to Earth.
For the majority of her career, Katherine Johnson’s brilliance was in the backdrop. Finally, Katherine gained some recognition as well as a well-deserved place as a symbol of dedication and exceptionalism. In exploring her journey, we find a history of what mathematics is, joined together with humanity through progress and prospering from talent in the face of struggles and challenges.
Fact no 1:
Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. From a young age, she exhibited extraordinary ability in mathematics. When she was 14, she graduated from high school and went to West Virginia University. By 18, she earned degrees in mathematics and French. Afterward, while teaching high school, she took graduate-level mathematics classes at West Virginia University. Her pursuit of knowledge laid the groundwork for her later contributions in the area of space exploration.
Fact no 2: Joining NASA and Early Career
In 1953, Katherine Johnson went to work for the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), which is today the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. She was assigned to the “West Area Computing” section of NACA, which was entirely manned by Black women. She was tasked with manual computations of aeronautical data and flight paths. Her reliable calculations were swiftly validated and were instrumental to project Mercury, NASA’s initial human space program. This was a significant turning point in Katherine’s life and marked the beginning of her career as a pioneering mathematician at NASA.
Fact no 3: Contributions to Space Missions
Katherine Johnson examined trajectory data for multiple missions. Her calculations were instrumental in John Glenn’s historic 1962 orbit around the Earth. Glenn asked Johnson to corroborate the numbers produced by the computer for this mission, which was a notable endorsement of her ability as computers were still fairly new machines and humans were assumed to be far more accurate. It was Johnson’s work that ensured the mission’s safety and success.
Fact no 4: Role in Apollo Missions
Katherine Johnson played an important role in different Apollo missions, including the Apollo 11 mission, which was the first manned mission to the Moon in 1969. She calculated trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return trajectories all of which are extremely important for the success and safety of the missions. Katherine Johnson’s contributions to the Apollo missions indicated that she was not only capable of accuracy, but also able to perform accurately in a high-pressure, high-stress situation.
Fact no 5: Breaking Barriers as a NASA Mathematician
Katherine Johnson worked at a time when both NASA and the United States were segregated. As one of the first African American women employed as a mathematician at NASA, she faced both racial and gender bias. Katherine Johnson’s work and contributions contribute to increasing equity in STEM fields. Moreover, Katherine’s story has become emblematic of breaking down systemic barriers through diligence and talent.
Fact no 6: Awards and Recognition
Katherine Johnson’s achievements have received some of the most prestigious honors in the field of science. One of these honors came from President Barack Obama when she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, which is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a citizen of the United States. Johnson also received the Congressional Gold Medal. In addition, NASA dedicated the Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility in her honor. These accomplishments demonstrate the significance of Katherine Johnson’s contributions to mathematics, science, the space program, and equality.
Fact no 7: Influence on Women in STEM
Katherine Johnson literally became an inspiration for women interested in science and mathematics. As a person, her story has inspired generations of young women throughout the world. She has often been included in stories, books, documentaries, and even a movie entitled Hidden Figures that was screened for a tremendous audience. Her story and achievements continue to serve as an inspiration for a new generation of women pursuing education and careers in STEM, just as she herself was inspired to believe there were no limits to her abilities.
Fact no 8: Publications and Legacy
Katherine Johnson’s impact was not simply found in her calculations. She was also a co-author on many reports and papers, which added to the body of knowledge at NASA. She lives on in educational programs that relay her contributions and significance of mathematics and science to students for generations to come. Katherine was light; she was a shining example of what excellence, determination, and resolve looks like when dealing with challenges and making a memory.
Fact no 9: Lifelong Dedication
After her retirement from NASA in 1986, Katherine Johnson continued to inspire through her speaking engagements and educational efforts. She showed the ability to use mathematics to describe the universe and to use her role to inspire students to think about a career in science and mathematics. She did not stop applying mathematics after her retirement from NASA, but she went to work to promote science education instead.
Fact no 10: A Legacy That Lasts
Katherine Johnson died in 2020, at the age of 101. Her work has been foundational to space science and mathematics. The history of her life is evidence that talent, combined with courage and persistence, can change the course of history. For those in STEM, and outside of STEM, the life of Katherine Johnson is an inspiring example of breaking down barriers, and having a legacy.
Conclusion
Katherine Johnson wasn’t just a NASA mathematician. She was a trailblazer, a solver of problems, and a role model. Her life is a lesson that hard work, accuracy, and believing in yourself can break down barriers. Her legacy is not only in our missions she helped enable, but also in the generations of women and mathematicians that she continues to inspire. Katherine Johnson’s life is a reminder that mathematics is more than just pencil and paper. It is a powerful instrument that can propel humankind forward.