The life of Katherine Johnson
She was known as the "human computer," was responsible for calculating the trajectory of Apollo 11 to space, and was an inspiration behind the film "Hidden Figures." This is the story of Katherine Johnson, the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration legend who died today at 101 years.
An American hero who will inspire generations to come
“Like what you do, then you will do your best.”, Katherine Johnson once said.
At 14, she received her high school diploma. Shortly after at the age of 18, she received her mathematics degree. When she was 34 years old, she saw an ad for a job in the newspaper. NASA was looking to hire female engineers for its segregated computing section. She joined the agency and analyzed airplane black boxes after crashes. She was nicknamed the “human computer”.
Her accomplishments at NASA
At 43, she calculated the trajectory of the first American space mission. She worked with 2 other African American women: Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. At 51, she calculated the trajectory of the Apollo 11 mission that landed on the moon. At 68, she retired from NASA. When asked about her time working at NASA, she answered, “I never missed a day, never stayed home playing sick and stuff. But my problem was to answer questions, and I did that to the best of my ability at all times.”
Recognizing her success
At 97, President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At 98, she was on the Oscars stage next to the 3 actresses from Hidden Figures. The film was based on the historic book titled Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race which was released in 2016. The movie depicted her and her colleagues’ controversial journey through NASA. At 99, Johnson attended the inauguration of the building that bears her name which is a computer research center at NASA. On February 24, 2020, Katherine Johnson dies at 101 years old. She will be remembered as an icon and role model for girls around the world.
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150 comments
Upasana P.
12/07/2020 01:53"Hidden figures" - movie on her and the other two ladies they mentioned in the video. (True story obviously) 😂
Fy L.
08/25/2020 05:37Rip....🙏🙏
John C.
06/18/2020 20:11She passed the day after my birthday 23rd. Her day was the 24th. Bless you condolences to the family.
Clare H.
06/10/2020 06:25Not about that, true or false it about this wonderful woman
PattiAnn G.
06/04/2020 23:01Amazing woman
Corrie L.
06/04/2020 22:36I watched a documentary on her!!
Kay A.
05/31/2020 17:27An amazing smart an inspiration to women she was segregated even in the work place because of her colour but disbite all that she showed them all and got our man into space and back rest in peace. Respect.
Cindy M.
05/29/2020 22:53AWSOME
William A.
05/27/2020 20:20But dumb-dumb gave that metal to that great citizen rush Limbaugh!! ( sickening comparison!!)
Kevin J.
05/26/2020 10:14God Bless 🙏
Kellie A.
05/14/2020 20:08this could be you ❤️❤️🇺🇸
Walter L.
05/13/2020 02:23God bless her
Jason T.
05/10/2020 19:00How many people question that the Appollo ever landed on the moon? If you believe it did, why hasn't there been another mission to the moon since December 1972? Because it probably never happened....
Tolu M.
05/10/2020 17:03The greatest and the smartest woman at all times. May her soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
Earl M.
05/08/2020 15:16Congratulations to an amazing lady
Sue J.
05/06/2020 17:59❤️😘
Becky R.
05/05/2020 14:38So smart and such a beautiful lady too! Thanks to the family for her service to our country.
Virginia B.
05/02/2020 07:51Wonderful history!
Samantha J.
04/27/2020 22:51One of the greatest and smartest woman alive ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Dianne T.
04/25/2020 15:36Amazing woman great story.