Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician And An Inspiration For 'Hidden Figures,' Dies

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Katherine Johnson, one of NASA's human 'computers' who wrote trajectory equations for missions in the space agency's early days, has died at 101. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

"The NASA family will never forget Katherine Johnson's courage and the milestones we could not have reached without her," Bridenstine wrote on Twitter."Her story and her grace continue to inspire the world."

Johnson was born in West Virginia in 1918. As a young girl, she was fascinated by numbers and it was clear early on she was gifted. She graduated from high school at 14 and finished college with degrees in math and French from historically black West Virginia State College. She initially became a teacher but, in 1953, took a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics — the agency that would become NASA.

She was one of a handful of African American women hired to do computing in the guidance and navigation department at Langley's Research Center in Virginia. The women battled both racism and sexism.in 2011, none of it held her back:"I just happened to be working with guys and when they had briefings, I asked permission to go. And they said, 'Well, the girls don't usually go.' and I said, 'Well, is there a law?' They said, 'No.

And she never stopped going, using her extraordinary computing skills to move up the NASA chain. She hand-computed the trajectory of the

 

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Bless her heart

Themancfran 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

THIS was a legitimate award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Unlike the phony one awarded by current phony tenant of the Oval Office. Brava, KatherineJohnson

KatherineJohnson deserved the PresidentialMedalOfFreedom. RushLimbaugh DOES NOT!!! RIPKatherineJohnson

Most of us wish we were that sharp.

Amazing!!! Truly Amazing human!!!! Bravo to her for a life well lived 👏👏👏👏👏

wfaalauren Katherine Johnson RIP.

God bless and comfort the loved ones of Katherine Johnson. May she rest in heavenly peace. AmericanHero KatherineJohnson Sympathy NASA WVSU

JoshMankiewicz What a fantastic life though. Over a century? To do what she did? To see her movie hit the big screen....

Is the photo correct? The text says she was black

Thank you for what many Americans will never forget and contributing to mankind!

She is the face of grit & grace

RIP

💜💜 So glad she was given recognition in her lifetime.

Rest in infinity, Ms Johnson. ✨🙏✨

Wow, Presidential Medal of Freedom. What an honour to be in the same club as Rush Limbaugh and soon Harvey Weinstein.

So glad she and other women have finally been recognized for their contributions to society. NASA Women Space BlackHistoryMonth HiddenFigures

Great Lady—Hope John Glenn & other Astronauts met her with a big hug and exuberant appreciation in heaven.

That this magnificent American woman shares that honor with Rush Limbaugh is gutting to me

RIP, Madame.

A true great. May she RIP.

An honor she shares with Rush Limbaugh.

That’s the kind of person who deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom!

Bless her RIP

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