Black History: Special Delivery!
The West Area Computers were a group of African American female mathematicians at NACA (later NASA) who played a pivotal role in early space exploration. Despite working under segregation, these women performed groundbreaking calculations that shaped aeronautics and spaceflight. Their contributions, once overlooked, are now recognized as essential to NASA’s success.
Key Figures of the West Area Computers:
Dorothy Vaughan (1910–2008)
- Education: Earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wilberforce University in 1929.
- Achievements:
- Became NACA’s first Black supervisor in 1949, leading the West Area Computing unit.
- An early expert in FORTRAN programming, assisting in NASA’s transition from human computers to digital computing.
- Advocated for the careers of other Black women in STEM.
Katherine Johnson (1918–2020)
- Education: Earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and French from West Virginia State College in 1937.
- Achievements:
- Conducted critical orbital calculations for John Glenn’s 1962 spaceflight, ensuring its success.
- Played a key role in the Apollo lunar landing program and other space missions.
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 for her contributions to space exploration.
Mary Jackson (1921–2005)
- Education: Earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physical Science from Hampton Institute in 1942.
- Achievements:
- In 1958, became NASA’s first Black female engineer after fighting to attend all-white classes to qualify for the role.
- Worked to advance opportunities for women and minorities in NASA’s science and engineering fields.
These brilliant women overcame racial and gender discrimination to help propel America into the space age. Their calculations and innovations directly contributed to NASA’s early successes, including human spaceflight and lunar exploration. Their inspiring story was brought to wider public attention through the book and film Hidden Figures.
Another installment of melanated mail has been delivered. Ponder, reflect, and pass it on.
Sources:
- NASA – Dorothy Vaughan
https://www.nasa.gov/people/dorothy-vaughan - NASA – Women at NASA Langley (Katherine Johnson)
https://www.nasa.gov/general/from-computers-to-leaders-women-at-nasa-langley - Encyclopedia Britannica – West Area Computers
https://www.britannica.com/topic/West-Computers - NASA – Katherine Johnson’s Legacy
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/katherine-johnson-a-legacy - National Geographic – NASA’s West Area Computers
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/nasas-west-area-computers
