My tribute to Katherine Johnson
Yesterday, African-American NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose talents ensured that the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing went smoothly and successfully, passed away.
Katherine Johnson (nee Coleman; also Goble) faced many barriers and hardships on her way to such an important and valuable role. She grew up in the Deep South during the now infamous "Jim Crow" era, where many states (including West Virginia where she was born and raised) legally enforced segregation in most spheres of life, where African Americans were routinely denied basic rights, and where women were still expected for the most part to be housewives and carers, meaning Mrs Johnson faced two sets of barriers in her path. She was one of the first African Americans to be admitted to a graduate mathematics program in the USA, but had to temporarily pause her ambitions when she had her first child by James Goble. Mr Goble died of a brain tumour in 1956, meaning that she also became a single parent for three years until her second marriage to James Johnson, whose death preceded hers by one year. Despite all she had to go through, she became one of the best mathematicians of all time
Above all else, Mrs Johnson used her excellent mathematical talents to ensure humanity could land on the Moon within the intense space race and also then return safely from that Moon landing, and to achieve key advances in computer technology in the process.
So farewell, Katherine. You have shown us all how anyone, with sufficient determination and skill, can overcome any barriers that may stand in the way of achieving their dream goal and which are beyond their control, or at least have some possibility of doing so.
In memory of Katherine Johnson (nee Coleman), born 18 August 1918, who departed this life on 24 February 2020, aged 101 years.
Katherine Johnson (nee Coleman; also Goble) faced many barriers and hardships on her way to such an important and valuable role. She grew up in the Deep South during the now infamous "Jim Crow" era, where many states (including West Virginia where she was born and raised) legally enforced segregation in most spheres of life, where African Americans were routinely denied basic rights, and where women were still expected for the most part to be housewives and carers, meaning Mrs Johnson faced two sets of barriers in her path. She was one of the first African Americans to be admitted to a graduate mathematics program in the USA, but had to temporarily pause her ambitions when she had her first child by James Goble. Mr Goble died of a brain tumour in 1956, meaning that she also became a single parent for three years until her second marriage to James Johnson, whose death preceded hers by one year. Despite all she had to go through, she became one of the best mathematicians of all time
Above all else, Mrs Johnson used her excellent mathematical talents to ensure humanity could land on the Moon within the intense space race and also then return safely from that Moon landing, and to achieve key advances in computer technology in the process.
So farewell, Katherine. You have shown us all how anyone, with sufficient determination and skill, can overcome any barriers that may stand in the way of achieving their dream goal and which are beyond their control, or at least have some possibility of doing so.
In memory of Katherine Johnson (nee Coleman), born 18 August 1918, who departed this life on 24 February 2020, aged 101 years.
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