The Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race

When we talk about space exploration, we often hear about astronauts like Neil Armstrong and John Glenn—but behind the scenes, there were brilliant Black women mathematicians and engineers whose calculations made space travel possible.

For decades, their contributions were overlooked, erased, or credited to others—but their work helped America win the Space Race and laid the foundation for today’s space programs.

These women weren’t just good at math—they changed history.

Who Were the Hidden Figures?

At a time when both racism and sexism kept Black women out of STEM careers, a group of them broke through, working at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia.

Some of the most influential women included:

🚀 Katherine Johnson – A mathematical genius whose calculations ensured John Glenn’s historic spaceflight was a success.

🚀 Dorothy Vaughan – A trailblazer in computer science, she became NASA’s first Black female supervisor.

🚀 Mary Jackson – NASA’s first Black female engineer, who fought segregation to earn her title.

These women and many others were known as “human computers”—because their mathematical abilities were so advanced, NASA relied on them more than the early machines.

Breaking Barriers in Segregated America

These women weren’t just doing groundbreaking work—they were doing it in a system designed to exclude them.

✖️ They worked in segregated offices—forced to use separate bathrooms and cafeterias.

✖️ They weren’t credited for their work—many of their contributions went unnoticed for years.

✖️ They had to fight for education and promotions—often being denied opportunities that white colleagues received easily.

But they didn’t just accept these injustices—they pushed back, broke barriers, and changed the face of NASA.

Katherine Johnson: The Mathematician Who Sent Astronauts to Space

Katherine Johnson’s calculations were so precise that when NASA introduced digital computers, John Glenn refused to fly unless she verified their work.

📍 She helped calculate the trajectory for America’s first human spaceflight in 1961.

📍 She ensured the success of Apollo 11’s moon landing in 1969.

📍 Her calculations were crucial for the Space Shuttle program and Mars exploration missions.

Her work wasn’t just impressive—it was essential to NASA’s success.

Dorothy Vaughan: The Woman Who Taught NASA to Code

When NASA began using computers, Dorothy Vaughan taught herself programming—becoming an expert in FORTRAN, one of the earliest coding languages.

💻 She led a team of Black female mathematicians, training them in computer programming.

💻 She became NASA’s first Black female supervisor, fighting for equal pay and recognition.

💻 Her work helped transition NASA from human computers to machine computing, making space travel more efficient.

Without her leadership, NASA’s technological advancements would have been years behind.

Mary Jackson: NASA’s First Black Female Engineer

Mary Jackson wanted to become an engineer—but segregation laws blocked her from attending classes required for the job.

🏛️ She fought to attend a segregated white school—and won.

🏗️ She became NASA’s first Black female engineer in 1958.

📝 She later worked to help more women and minorities enter STEM fields.

She didn’t just break barriers for herself—she cleared the way for others to follow.

Why Their Work Still Matters Today

The work of these Black women didn’t just help NASA—it shaped the future of STEM and space exploration.

🌍 Their calculations made space travel safer and more efficient.

👩🏾‍💻 They paved the way for Black women in STEM fields, breaking racial and gender barriers.

🚀 Their legacy continues to inspire young scientists, engineers, and astronauts today.

For decades, their contributions were ignored—but their impact is undeniable.

The Fight for Recognition

Despite their achievements, these women weren’t properly recognized for decades.

🏆 In 2015, Katherine Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest civilian honor.📖 In 2016, their story was told in the book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly.

🎬 In 2016, the award-winning film Hidden Figures brought their story to the world.

🏛️ In 2021, NASA renamed its headquarters the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters to honor her contributions.

Though long overdue, these honors ensure that their names will never be forgotten.

Why We Must Keep Telling Their Stories

🚀 Black women have always been at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation—but too often, their contributions are erased.

📚 By sharing their stories, we inspire the next generation of Black scientists, engineers, and astronauts.💡 Diversity in STEM leads to better discoveries, stronger teams, and more groundbreaking work.

The Black women who helped win the Space Race didn’t just change NASA—they changed history.

And now, the world finally knows their names.

💬 Let’s Talk:

Did you know about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson before Hidden Figures? How do you think we can continue to honor Black women in STEM? Drop your thoughts in the comments!