15 Facts About Katherine Johnson

Early Life and Education

Katherine Johnson's journey to becoming a renowned mathematician began with a strong foundation in education and an early love for numbers.

1. Born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Katherine Johnson showed an early aptitude for mathematics.
2. By age 10, she had already completed the eighth grade, a rare achievement for that time, especially for an African American girl.
3. She attended high school on the campus of West Virginia State College, where she later enrolled at just 15 years old.
4. Graduating summa cum laude in 1937, she earned degrees in mathematics and French, showcasing her diverse talents.

Career at NASA

Katherine Johnson's work at NASA was groundbreaking and pivotal in the success of numerous space missions.

5. In 1953, she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA, as a "computer" who performed complex calculations.
6. Her calculations were crucial for the success of the first American in space, Alan Shepard, during the Freedom 7 mission in 1961.
7. Johnson's work on the trajectory analysis for John Glenn's orbital mission in 1962 was so trusted that Glenn requested her to verify the calculations before his flight.
8. She contributed to the calculations for the Apollo 11 mission, which successfully landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969.

Overcoming Barriers

Despite facing significant challenges, Katherine Johnson broke through many barriers in her career.

9. As an African American woman in a predominantly white, male-dominated field, she faced both racial and gender discrimination.
10. She was one of the first African American women to attend graduate school at West Virginia University, integrating the institution in 1939.
11. Her persistence and expertise earned her a place in meetings that were previously closed to women, allowing her to contribute directly to mission planning.

Recognition and Legacy

Katherine Johnson's contributions have been recognized and celebrated in various ways, ensuring her legacy endures.

12. In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
13. Her story was popularized by the 2016 film "Hidden Figures," which highlighted the contributions of Johnson and her colleagues at NASA.
14. NASA named a building in her honor, the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility, in 2017.
15. She authored or co-authored 26 research reports during her career, leaving a lasting impact on the field of space exploration.

A Final Nod to Katherine Johnson's Legacy

Katherine Johnson's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, intellect, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Her contributions to NASA and the field of space exploration have paved the way for future generations, breaking barriers not only in science but also in gender and racial equality. Johnson's calculations were crucial in sending astronauts to the moon and ensuring their safe return, marking her as an unsung hero of her time. Her legacy continues to inspire students, especially girls and minorities, to explore STEM fields and reach for the stars. As we reflect on her achievements, let's remember the impact one individual can have on the world. Katherine Johnson's life reminds us that with hard work and determination, the sky's not the limit; it's just the beginning.