African American Women Who Made a Contribution in NASA

Introduction

Mary Jackson is one of the African American human computers who worked at NASA. She was on a journey to become an engineer at NASA, a position she was offered. However, she needed to enter a training program at a ‘whites only’ school. Jackson took the matter to court and was granted permission to attend this school. This shows NASA's willingness to give an African American woman the opportunity to contribute more to its mission. By allowing her to attend a ‘whites only’ school, it underscores the progress of the Civil Rights Movement happening at the time and proves that African American women were not denied recognition for their contributions during the Space Race from the 1930s to the 1960s (Shetterly, 2016).

African American Women Who Made a Contribution to NASA

Katherine Johnson also worked at NASA. She was an African American who served as one of the human computers. Johnson became responsible for computing the trajectories that calculated landings. In a 2011 interview with Cathy Lewis, she shared that John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth three times, specifically requested her to verify the calculations before he embarked on his mission. This anecdote illustrates the trust NASA placed in these women and demonstrates that African American women were not denied their contributions during the Space Race from the 1930s to the 1960s (Lewis, 2011). Their mathematical prowess and dedication were integral to NASA's success during this period.

The Hidden Contributions of African American Women

It is intriguing to explore why these African American women were often hidden from public recognition and not given credit for their vital contributions. This curiosity leads one to question whether their efforts were even accepted or considered by the broader society. It turns out that their contributions were indeed acknowledged within NASA, but they were kept from the public eye due to the social climate of the country at that time. This lack of public recognition doesn't justify the actions but provides insight into why it was handled this way. Certain laws resulted in segregation within the workforce. However, in the interview with Cathy Lewis, Katherine Johnson interestingly mentioned that she did not feel segregated. Even though they worked in separate buildings, when collaboration was necessary, it did not feel segregated to her. She was aware of the segregation, but it did not define her experience. This narrative is inspiring and highlights the resilience and determination of these women. Today, many fields and programs are led by women, and NASA now celebrates its diversity (Shetterly, 2016; Lewis, 2011).

Conclusion

African American women were not denied their contributions during the Space Race from the 1930s to the 1960s. These women played a crucial role and were heavily involved in NASA's successes. Unfortunately, they were not acknowledged in the public eye, and thus, many were unaware of their contributions. However, their efforts were not denied, and they remain a significant part of NASA's achievements. The progress in recognizing diversity today marks a significant change from the past, celebrating the invaluable contributions of women like Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson.

References:

• Lewis, C. (2011). Interview with Katherine Johnson. [Video]. Retrieved from NASA Archives.
• Shetterly, M. L. (2016). Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race. New York: William Morrow.