Katherine Johnson

Creola Katherine Johnson (née Coleman, previously Goble; August 26, 1918 – February 24, 2020) was an American mathematician and human computer whose important work helped the United States make breakthroughs in space travel. She worked for NASA and its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, for over thirty years. Katherine was known for being very good at doing difficult math problems by hand, which helped scientists and astronauts plan their missions safely.

Katherine’s calculations were important for many famous space missions. She figured out the paths that spacecraft should take, when they should launch, and how to get back to Earth if something went wrong. Her work was vital for the Project Mercury missions, helping astronauts like Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. She also helped plan the trips to the Moon for the Apollo missions, making sure the Lunar Module and command module could meet up again safely.

Because of her amazing contributions, Katherine received many honors. In 2015, President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2016, she was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award by astronaut Leland D. Melvin and a NASA Group Achievement Award. The story of her life was shown in the film Hidden Figures, played by actress Taraji P. Henson. In 2019, the United States Congress awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal, and NASA named a new facility after her in West Virginia. Even after she passed away, Katherine was honored in 2021 by being added to the National Women's Hall of Fame. Her work inspired many people, especially young women and girls interested in science and space.

Early life

Katherine Johnson was born Creola Katherine Coleman on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She was the youngest of four children and showed a strong talent for math from a young age. Because her home county did not offer public schooling for African-American students beyond eighth grade, her family sent her to a high school in Institute, West Virginia, where she graduated at just 14 years old.

She went on to attend West Virginia State College, a historically black college, and graduated at 18 with degrees in mathematics and French. She later became the first African-American woman to attend graduate school at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Career

Katherine Johnson began her career in 1953 at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. She worked as a mathematician, calculating trajectories and other important data for early space missions. Despite facing segregation and gender barriers, Johnson’s skill and accuracy earned her respect from her colleagues.

Johnson’s calculations were crucial for many historic missions, including the first American spaceflight by Alan Shepard in 1961 and John Glenn’s orbit around Earth. She also helped plan the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 and supported the Apollo 13 mission by creating backup navigation charts. Throughout her career, Johnson inspired many and encouraged students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Personal life and death

Katherine Johnson had three daughters with her first husband, James Francis Goble, and later married James A. "Jim" Johnson, a United States Army officer. They were married for 60 years until his death in 2019. Johnson lived in Hampton, Virginia, and had six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She encouraged many young people to study science and technology.

Johnson was a member of Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church for 50 years and sang in the choir. She passed away at a retirement home in Newport News on February 24, 2020, at the age of 101. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine praised her as an American hero whose pioneering work would always be remembered.

Legacy and honors

Katherine Johnson inspired many people as a pioneer in space science and computing. She received many honors for her work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2015. NASA recognized her as one of the first African-American women to work as a scientist there.

Several schools, buildings, and even a satellite were named after her. NASA named a research facility and a verification facility after her. A satellite and a spacecraft also carried her name. Her legacy continues to inspire young people, especially girls and African-Americans, to pursue careers in science and technology.

Depiction in media

The film Hidden Figures, released in December 2016, tells the story of Katherine Johnson and other African-American women who worked as computers at NASA. The movie is based on a book by Margot Lee Shetterly and stars Taraji P. Henson as Johnson. Johnson enjoyed the film and praised the actors for their portrayals. She also appeared at the 89th Academy Awards and received a standing ovation. Later, she was portrayed by Nadine Ellis in an episode of the NBC series Timeless titled "Space Race".

Awards

Katherine Johnson received many awards for her important work. She was given the NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement award several times, and in 1977, she and her team received the NASA Group Achievement Award for their work on the Apollo program. She also earned honorary doctorates from many universities, including SUNY Farmingdale, Capitol College, Old Dominion University, West Virginia University, Spelman College, the College of William & Mary, and the University of Johannesburg.

Johnson was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, the Silver Snoopy award in 2016, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. She was also inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2021 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2024.