For too long, the world overlooked the brilliant Black women in science who helped launch the United States into space. But let’s be real—their contributions were never small. Some of NASA women in STEM‘s most significant milestones might not have happened without Katherine F. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
These women in aerospace weren’t just sitting in the background; they were doing the math, writing the code, and engineering the technology that helped America reach the stars. Yet, their names weren’t widely taught in history books—until 2016, when the world finally took notice with the publication of Hidden Figures real story by Margot Lee Shetterly. The book, followed by the blockbuster film of the same name, shed light on these forgotten pioneers and ensured their stories would never be hidden again.
Let’s talk about the true masterminds behind the Space Race and the movie that finally gave them their flowers on our Black blog.
Katherine Johnson: The “Human Computer” who outdid the machines
Katherine Johnson wasn’t just good at math—she was a straight-up genius. Born in 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, she was in high school by 13 and graduated college by 18. In an era when Black women in science weren’t expected to do much outside of domestic work, Katherine was busy solving the equations that would send astronauts into orbit and bring them home safely.
In 1953, she joined NASA (back when it was still called NACA) as a “human computer”, manually calculating flight paths and launch windows. When John Glenn was set to orbit Earth in 1962, he didn’t trust electronic computers. Instead, he said, “Get the girl to check the numbers.” And just like that, Katherine Johnson calculations got him safely into space and back.
Her work didn’t stop there. She played a crucial role as one of the Apollo 11 mathematicians (1969) and the Apollo 13 mission (1970)—when things went south, her calculations helped guide the astronauts safely home.
Despite breaking barriers in a field dominated by white men, Katherine’s impact went largely unrecognized until later in life. In 2015, she was finally honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S. Her legacy? Unshakable.
Dorothy Vaughan: The Codebreaker Who Saw the Future
Before computers were actual machines, there were women in aerospace like Dorothy Vaughan doing complex calculations by hand. But Dorothy wasn’t just crunching numbers—she was leading.
Hired by NASA’s predecessor, NACA, during World War II, she quickly became the first Black woman supervisor at NASA in 1949, running the West Area Computing Unit. But when NASA started bringing in electronic computers, she saw the writing on the wall—if she and her team didn’t evolve, they’d be left behind.
So, what did she do? She taught herself programming. Dorothy mastered FORTRAN, an early computer language, and trained her entire team, making sure Black women in science remained essential to NASA’s future. NASA’s transition into the digital age would have been much slower without her.
Her work was vital, yet her name was barely mentioned for decades. Today, she’s celebrated as a coding and computer science pioneer, paving the way for NASA women in STEM.
Mary Jackson: The Engineer Who Fought for More Seats at the Table
Mary Jackson didn’t just break barriers—she shattered them. Born in 1921, she started at NASA as a mathematician but wanted more. She saw how the engineers were leading the work, so she set her sights on becoming NASA’s first Black female engineer.
But, of course, it wasn’t that simple. The classes she needed to qualify were only offered at an all-white school in Virginia. So, she petitioned the court for permission to attend, won her case, and made history in 1958 as NASA’s first Black female engineer.
Her work in aerodynamics helped improve spacecraft and aircraft designs, but she didn’t stop there. Later, she took on a role as NASA’s Federal Women’s Program Manager, where she advocated for women in aerospace, making sure more Black women had access to opportunities in science and technology.
In 2021, NASA renamed its headquarters in her honor—the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters—a long-overdue tribute to a woman who made space history possible.
The Book & Movie That Finally Told Their Story
For decades, these women were hidden figures—literally. Their contributions were missing from history books and overshadowed by their white male colleagues. That changed in 2016 with the release of Hidden Figures real story, a best-selling book by Margot Lee Shetterly, which chronicled their impact on NASA’s space program.
The book was adapted into the 2016 film of the same name, directed by Theodore Melfi and starring some of Hollywood’s finest Black women in what became a landmark of Black entertainment:
- Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson – Known for her powerhouse performances in Empire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Hustle & Flow, Taraji embodied Katherine’s intelligence and resilience flawlessly.
- Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan – A critically acclaimed actress, Octavia has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for The Help, proving repeatedly that she is one of Hollywood’s most versatile talents.
- Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson – A singer, actress, and all-around creative powerhouse, Janelle delivered an unforgettable performance, capturing Mary’s fiery determination and groundbreaking achievements.
These women brought life to a long overdue story. The film was a box-office hit and earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. But more importantly, it put Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary’s names on the map, ensuring that future generations would know exactly who they were.
Their Legacy: Hidden No More
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson didn’t just help America win the Space Race—they changed the game for Black women in science. They fought against racism, sexism, and the limitations placed on them, all while doing some of the most important scientific work of their time.
Today, their legacy lives on in every young Black girl who dreams of becoming a scientist, engineer, or astronaut. Their story is a reminder that Black women have always been at the forefront of innovation, even when the world refused to see them.
So the next time you look at the stars, remember: Black women in science helped us get there.