Katherine Johnson: The Amazing Women of Science.

Katherine Johnson. You may be familiar with her from the 2016 movie, Hidden Figures, but this woman is a real life legend in so many ways. Lets explore the amazing life of Katherine Johnson.

Katherine Johnson after having received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Katherine Johnson was born in 1918 and grew up during the roaring 20's and great depression. Growing up, Katherine excelled in school and began college at West Virginia State College when she was only 15 years old. There, Katherine met mathematician W. W. Schieffelin Claytor who inspired and guided her into becoming a research mathematician. She graduated college at the age of 18.

In the 1950's, when the space race was in full force, NASA began hiring more, particularly women of color. Katherine was hired as a computer. After working for four years as a computer, Katherine had moved to working on the calculations for Alan Shepard's 1961 mission into space. She spent the next two and a half decades working on calculations for missions such as the Apollo Lunar Lander, the Orbital mission with John Glenn, and the recently retired Space Shuttle projects.

Did you also know that Katherine Johnson was a mom?

On top of being an integral part of NASA for more than 30 years, Katherine Johnson was also a mother of three. She and her first husband started a family in the 1940's and had three daughters. Her daughters spoke about how their mother was always mom first and foremost. Youngest daughter Katherine Moore explained how Katherine's family always came before her job in an interview with News & Record.

Katherine Johnson was a dedicated mother and scientist who made amazing strides for women, African Americans, and space exploration. She is truly a role model for many women who hope to go into the field of science as it remains a male-dominated carrier path. Furthermore, we often overlook the hidden figures associated with the amazing progress of humankind. There remains a vast knowledge base of information from the contributions from the individuals involved yet to be discovered. Finally, Katherine Johnson serves as a true inspiration to all individuals interested in the science field, especially women and other marginalized groups; which is very good news because science can always use more of the best and brightest.

Citation

Ignotofsky, Rachel. Women in Science - 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. 10 Speed Press, 2016. jonnelle.davis@greensboro.com, Jonnelle Davis. “Daughter of NASA Mathematician Portrayed in ‘Hidden Figures’ Talks about ‘Smart but Humble’ Mom.” Greensboro News and Record, https://www.greensboro.com/news/local_news/daughter-of-nasa-mathematician-portrayed-in-hidden-figures-talks-about/article_a14b217f-e216-54a7-99fa-f3dc41901c2b.html. Accessed 30 Apr. 2019. Loff, Sarah. “Katherine Johnson Biography.” NASA, 22 Nov. 2016, http://www.nasa.gov/content/katherine-johnson-biography.