Katherine Johnson: Mathematician
(Click photos to enlarge)
(Click Dots to advance photos)
Poster Update: Katherine Johnson died February 24, 2020. NASA’s administrator, Jim Birdenstine, described her as “an American hero” and said, “Her pioneering legacy will never be forgotten.”
A couple of years ago the finance DEI team decided to put together an event to honor the black history month. I instantly thought of Katherine Johnson since I had just seen the movie “Hidden Figures”. I was very much impressed with her role in the mathematical calculations of orbital mechanics at NASA. John Glenn had asked Katherine to double check the numbers that were calculated by a computer, before his launch into space.
As a young girl, I had dreams of becoming an astronaut, I was very good in math and so the subject of space endeavors is very dear to me. I was fascinated by her work and was in awe of her achievements in the face of so many adversities.
Sue Thanedar, Finance DEI Team
