Pioneer Mathematician Guides U. S. Astronauts to the Stars
While I’m still thinking about African American History Month, I wanted to acknowledge notable passing of Katherine Johnson. During the space race of 1960s, Katherine Goble Johnson an African American mathematician, distinguished herself at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Agency). She calculated re-entry tragetories necessary for the returning space capsule containing the crew of astronauts to return safely to earth.
Reputed as a human computer in the West Area Computers division of the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, she worked in a segregated unit that included other African American women comprised of aspiring engineer Mary Jackson and acting-supervisor Dorothy Vaughan.
Taraji P. Henson portrayed Katherine Johnson in the Academy award-nominated movie Hidden Figures, based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. Recognized as a Pioneer of African American women in STEM, President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 24, 2015.
Reaching the age 101, Johnson died in Newport News on February 24, 2020. Acknowledging exploits of women like Katherine Johnson and pioneer NASA astronaut Mae Jemison (also a physician and engineer) encourages an increase enrollment by girls and women in STEM programs.
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