Born: 1918 (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)
Biography:
Katherine Johnson, born Creola Katherine Coleman on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, was an American mathematician whose pioneering work at NASA paved the way for crewed spaceflights and advanced the field of orbital mechanics. Her contributions to the early days of space exploration were instrumental in the success of numerous missions and made her a trailblazer for African-American women in science and mathematics.
Growing up, Johnson displayed a natural aptitude for mathematics. Despite the limited educational opportunities available for African-American students in Greenbrier County, her parents, Joylette and Joshua Coleman, sought to nurture her talent. They arranged for Katherine and her siblings to attend high school in Institute, West Virginia, where she was enrolled at West Virginia State College (WVSC) at the age of ten.
At WVSC, a historically black college, Johnson’s mathematical prowess flourished. She eagerly took every course in mathematics offered by the college, honing her skills and developing a deep understanding of the subject. Her exceptional abilities did not go unnoticed, and upon graduating from high school at the age of 14, she continued her education at WVSC.
In 1937, Katherine Coleman graduated summa cum laude with degrees in mathematics and French, becoming one of the first African-American women to earn a bachelor’s degree from WVSC. She then began teaching at a black public school in Marion, Virginia, before returning to college to pursue graduate studies in mathematics.
In 1939, Johnson married James Goble and started a family. However, her dreams of higher education were not hampered by her marital responsibilities. In 1953, she began working as a research mathematician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics’ (NACA) West Area Computing Unit, later integrated into NASA. Despite being initially assigned to the segregated division for female African-American computers, Johnson’s exceptional skills quickly garnered recognition.
Throughout her tenure at NASA, spanning 33 years, Johnson played a pivotal role in calculating vital trajectory information for various space missions. Her calculations were crucial to Mercury, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. Notably, she plotted the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s historic suborbital flight in 1961, making him the first American to travel to space. Johnson also calculated John Glenn’s orbit around the Earth, supporting his successful mission as the first American to orbit our planet.
Johnson’s work extended beyond the boundaries of our planet. She contributed to the planning of missions to the Moon, calculating rendezvous paths for the Apollo Lunar Module and command module. Her calculations were instrumental in ensuring the successful lunar landings and safe returns of the astronauts.
Renowned for her exceptional mathematical capability, Johnson’s work played a crucial role in advancing the understanding and application of orbital mechanics. She helped pioneer the usage of computers at NASA, utilizing their computational power to streamline and enhance the precision of her calculations.
Despite the challenges of being an African-American woman in a male-dominated field, Johnson’s talent and dedication earned her the respect of her colleagues. Her contributions made her an inspiration to countless aspiring mathematicians and scientists, particularly women and minorities facing similar barriers.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Johnson received numerous awards and honors. In 2015, President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, acknowledging her remarkable contributions to the field of space science. The next year, she was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award by NASA astronaut Leland D. Melvin and a NASA Group Achievement Award. Johnson’s legacy and impact on society were further celebrated in the 2016 film Hidden Figures, where she was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson.
The accolades continued to pour in for Johnson. In 2019, the United States Congress awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing her significant contributions to American history and science. In 2021, she was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, cementing her status as an important figure in women’s history.
Katherine Johnson’s unwavering determination and extraordinary mathematical ability paved the way for future generations of mathematicians, scientists, and astronauts. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity, gender equality, and inclusivity in scientific exploration and discovery. Her story continues to inspire and empower individuals around the world, ensuring that her groundbreaking contributions to space science and women’s history will never be forgotten.
Awards:
– Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015)
– Silver Snoopy Award (2016)
– NASA Group Achievement Award (2016)
– Congressional Gold Medal (2019)
– Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (2021)