The Remarkable Women Behind Hidden Figures

The story of Hidden Figures is the untold story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These three, brilliant African American women worked at NASA. They were the brains behind the launch of sending John Glenn (1921-2016) into orbit. Their brilliance turned around the Space Race, restored America's confidence and galvanized the world. These women crossed all barriers to inspire all women, not just African American women, to dream big.

Katherine Johnson - a physicist and mathematician who made countless contributions to the US aeronautics and space programs with early application of digital electronic computers at NASA. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Ms. Johnson also did the calculations for plans for a mission to Mars. She was also one of three African American students (the only female) selected to integrate graduate school after the United States Supreme Court ruling, Missouri ex. rel. Gaines V Canada (1938). In other words, if public higher education schools offered education to white students, then they must offer the same education to black students. Ms. Johnson is 93 and resides in Hampton, VA.

Dorothy Vaughan - a mathematician who worked for NACA and NASA. She was acting supervisor of the West Area Computers. The first African American and women to supervise a staff at the center. She was later promoted to position of supervisor. Dorothy prepared for the introduction of machine computers by teaching herself and her staff the programming language of FORTRAN. Ms. Vaughan passed away in 2008.

Mary Jackson - a mathematician and aerospace engineer at NACA and NASA. She graduated with a dual degree in math and physical sciences and worked as a math teacher at an all black school in Maryland. She became NASA's first black female engineer in 1958. Ms. Jackson worked at NASA 34 years and earned the most senior engineering title available. She later became a manager of the Federal Women's Program in NASA's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and the Affirmative Action Program. She influenced the hiring and promotion of women at NASA in their science, engineering and mathematics careers. Ms. Jackson passed away in 2005.

The purpose of this post is to continue bringing to light today, what is happening with diversity and women's issues. If these three, intelligent Black American women could break through barriers and open doors for other women, they why can't those who still wear blinders not see what we (women) are capable of.

This is an open statement to all who believe women, no matter what color, race, creed, or age have nothing to offer but a "hit it and quit it good time." Alone we are amazing! As three, we are powerful! As a group, we can make changes! But as a solidarity, forging ahead together, we are a force to be reckon with!! Watch your back, we are coming for you!