Katherine Johnson Broke Barriers with Brilliance

Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician and “human computer” who calculated critical equations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which supported the success of the first U.S. crewed spaceflights. She was known for mastering complex manual calculations and helping pioneer the use of computers to perform tasks previously requiring humans. 

Johnson had a strong ability to calculate complex math problems even in her childhood. She graduated high school at age 14, and matriculated at WVSC, which was a historically black college. She took every single math related course that the college offered. She graduated summa cum laude at age 18 with degrees in mathematics and French. After graduating, she became a teacher at a black public school in Virginia. She then married James Goble, and left her job to focus on building her family. After her daughters grew up, she returned to teaching. 

In 1953, she accepted a job offer from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which was hiring for its West Area computing section. A relative suggested that she interview for this job because they progressively hired African-American mathematicians as well as whites. 

For five years, she calculated constantly. She was reassigned to a new division which was staffed by white male engineers, where she was required to use separate restrooms and general facilities from her colleagues. Her office was labeled with “colored computers” to signify who had touched the keyboards. Eventually, NASA absorbed NACA’s facilities in 1958. Johnson stated in an interview how she did not see the segregation at NASA because everyone had a mission to complete research. She stated: “I didn’t feel any segregation. I knew it was there, but I didn’t feel it.”

Johnson’s experience illustrates the Matilda Effect: the tendency for women’s scientific work to be ignored, minimized, or credited to men. Johnson made major contributions to NASA’s space missions, but her work was not widely recognized for much of her career. 

Johnson showed immense amounts of courage by continuing to pursue her career in math despite the many barriers she faced. She fearlessly rejected various oppressive opinions on race and gender. She worked for the majority of her life in male-dominated rooms, and her confidence and skills changed the course of space exploration. 

In 2015, former-President Barack Obama awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also received the Silver Snoopy Award from NASA astronaut Leland D. Melvin. These are just a few of the many awards she received in her lifetime. She was also highlighted in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, portrayed by Taraji P. Henson. 

Katherine Johnson refused to be limited, and paved the way for future generations of women in STEM.