10 Quotes & Sayings By Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was born on September 12, 1919 in Mayfield, Kentucky. She grew up with four brothers and three sisters. She was interested in math from an early age, and after high school she attended Spelman College for two years. Johnson's first job was an accounting job with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Field in Hampton, Virginia. At Langley she worked as a mathematician on the early stages of the development of the hydrogen bomb Read more

She then took a position with NASA's Institute of Flight Research where she helped to develop new methods to calculate aerodynamic lift and drag by using computers for the first time. With her background in mathematics, Johnson was recruited by NASA to work at the Langley Research Center as a "human computer" for Project Mercury. This project sent American astronauts into space on missions lasting up to fourteen days. This required an enormous amount of data collection and calculations by hand; with her accurate mathematical skills, Johnson became one of NASA's top-ranked human computers.

This experience led to her becoming one of NASA's first African American women mathematicians and technicians. Johnson retired from NASA in 1964 at age 50 after 29 years of service spanning behavioral sciences, aeronautical research, and operational support. She died on May 25, 2007 at the age of 92.

Johnson received many awards over her lifetime including NASA Exceptional Public Service Medals (three), Langley Research Center Engr Awards (two), Outstanding Black Engineer Awards (three), Outstanding Black Woman Engineer Awards (four), Civil Defense Civilian Service Awards (two), Defense Department Superior Performance Awards (three), Defense Department Superior Performance Medal (one), Defense Department Meritorious Unit Commendation (one), National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Achievement Award (one). Johnson was inducted into the NASA Space Task Group Hall of Fame at NASA Ames Research Center in 1992 and into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1999.. Her achievements were honored by President Lyndon B Johnson when he presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 and by President Barack Obama when he awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 .

1
I found what I was looking for at Langley. This was what a research mathematician did. I went to work every day for 33 years happy. Never did I get up and say I don't want to go to work. Katherine Johnson
2
We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics. Katherine Johnson
3
I like to learn. That's an art and a science. Katherine Johnson
4
I'm always interested in learning something new. Katherine Johnson
5
I don't have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I'm as good as anybody, but no better. Katherine Johnson
6
John Glenn's life will long be remembered for his time in space, his courage, and his service to all Americans. Katherine Johnson
7
Go see 'Hidden Figures, ' and take a young person! It will give a more positive outlook on what is possible if you work hard, do your best, and are prepared. Katherine Johnson
8
Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men. Katherine Johnson
9
Men don't pay attention to small things. Katherine Johnson