By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Courtesy NASA/AP
In the first article about Space in The MMM Journal, we must highlight and honor an important figure in NASA’s history. Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who worked with NASA for 33 years.
Johnson’s brilliance and work ethic were unparalleled. She became known for calculating many missions’ flight paths and pioneering using computers to perform tasks.
For most moviegoers, Johnson became known after the release of the 2016 film Hidden Figures. Actress Taraji P. Henson portrayed Johnson’s character in the movie and did an outstanding job.
When Hidden Figures hit the movie theaters, more people wanted to find out and learn about Johnson and the legacy she left behind. Johnson is very revered and respected. She has been very skilled in Math since she was a kid. She was destined and determined to have the career that she had.
Johnson attended West Virginia State College, where she majored in Mathematics and French. In 1937, she became the third African-American to earn a PhD in mathematics and graduated with honors.
Given the times during the 20th century, especially in the racial years before the 1970s, Johnson had to work extremely hard and face many challenges. She handled every situation in class and was fearless.
In 2015, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That’s a massive honor for an American civilian. Johnson passed away on Feb 24, 2020. She was 101 years old.
Unfortunately, Johnson didn’t get to live to see her get inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. It should’ve happened years before she passed away.
Johnson is an American hero and a trailblazer. If you love Space and Math, Johnson is one of those figures you must study and learn about their contributions and what they meant to a king and sustainable career in Space.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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