She was one of the NASA female math whizzes featured in the movie “Hidden Figures”. A life to be celebrated, no question.
She was indeed featured in the movie hidden figures, although I encourage you to read the book on which the film was based (Hidden Figures by Margot Shetterly.) The Hollywood portrayal was a bit of an oversimplification a rich story, Katherine and her colleges were truly impressive people who played an integral role in our space program. I am a mathematics professor and heard about her passing on my way to work this morning. I immediately put together a short presentation to honor her for my students, and was one of the few times I have received a round of applause from my students. Her story and others like it are important ones to tell (see recommended reading below). Here is what I put together for my students, I also spent 20 minutes of class time talking about the contributions Katherine Johnson and the other women of her era. The story was truly an inspiration for my students, especially women and the students of color.
Honorary Doctorate from the College of William and Mary. Those were different times, many of the engineers of those days only held Bachelors degrees. There were no educational opportunities beyond 8th grade for women of color in her home town.
Even at my ripe old age of 47, It’s hard to believe there was a time when the intellect of anyone other that white males wasn’t valued. Being the son of a woman who earned her MD in 1965 and was told to empty bedpans and fetch coffee while wearing her lab coat with the title MD on it is unfathomable...but it wasn’t that long ago...and there are many who think about the “good ‘ole days” with nostalgia- yikes!
Hats off to your Mom, I am sure she had to be twice the doctor to earn the same respect that her male counterparts did. Sounds like she did a good job raising her son too!
Well, I appreciate the nod to a brilliant woman, who like many struggled to earn the respect of her male counterparts although at the time it was just understood that was the norm. I think young women don’t truly understand what their predecessors had to endure for them to have the opportunities they do now. Although we are not nearly as progressive as a global culture as we like to think we are. My lady always bemoans the fake or shallow pockets in ladies pants when she goes clothing shopping- my comment was there isn’t a need for full pockets when you only earn 75% of what a man does
Yep, a Presidential Medal of Freedom winner. Yet has president hasn’t said anything about her death yet?
R.I.P. In Astronomy, Women have been "computers" since the 19th century: https://maas.museum/observations/2018/03/15/women-in-astronomy-the-computers/
