The story of the women who helped NASA win the space race is one of the most inspiring and untold stories in American history. These women, known as "hidden figures," were black women who worked as mathematicians, engineers, and scientists at NASA during the 1950s and 1960s. Despite facing discrimination and segregation, they made significant contributions to the space program and helped the United States beat the Soviet Union in the race to the moon.
Katherine Johnson
One of the most famous hidden figures is Katherine Johnson. Johnson was a mathematician who worked at NASA for over 30 years. She was responsible for calculating the trajectories of the Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 missions, which were the first manned missions to the moon. Johnson's calculations were essential to the success of these missions, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 for her contributions.
Dorothy Vaughan
Another hidden figure is Dorothy Vaughan. Vaughan was a mathematician and programmer who worked at NASA from 1943 to 1971. She was the first black woman to be promoted to the position of supervisor at NASA, and she led a team of women who programmed the computers that were used to calculate the trajectories of the Apollo missions. Vaughan was also a pioneer in the field of computer programming, and she developed new techniques that were used to process large amounts of data.
Mary Jackson
Mary Jackson was a mathematician and engineer who worked at NASA from 1951 to 1981. She was the first black woman to be promoted to the position of engineer at NASA, and she worked on a variety of projects, including the design of the Saturn V rocket. Jackson was also a gifted teacher, and she helped to train many other engineers and mathematicians who worked at NASA.
The Legacy of the Hidden Figures
The hidden figures made significant contributions to the success of the American space program, and their stories are an inspiration to women and girls everywhere. They showed that anyone, regardless of race, gender, or background, can achieve great things. The hidden figures paved the way for future generations of women in STEM fields, and their legacy continues to inspire us today.
In 2016, the movie "Hidden Figures" was released, which told the story of these women and their contributions to NASA. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise awareness of the important role that women have played in the history of space exploration.
