Mary Jackson

Today, we are going to talk about Mary Jackson, one of the most inspiring women in science history. Mary Jackson was born on April 9, 1921, in Hampton, Virginia. From a very young age, she loved math and science, and her teachers quickly noticed her talent. They encouraged her to study hard, which helped her succeed later in life.

After high school, she attended the Hampton Institute, where she earned a degree in mathematics and physical science in 1942. She first worked as a teacher, but she wanted to pursue a career in aeronautics, a field dominated by men at the time. Mary always dreamed of solving real-world problems with math and engineering.

In 1951, Mary began working at NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which later became NASA. At first, she was a “computer”, doing complex mathematical calculations by hand, like many women at the time. In the film Hidden Figures, we see how she worked with Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan, calculating trajectories for space missions.

However, Mary faced many challenges. At that time, the United States was still segregated, and Black women could not attend classes with white engineers. In order to take the courses needed to become an engineer, Mary had to petition a local court to attend classes at a segregated school. This moment, shown in Hidden Figures, illustrates her courage and determination: she did not accept the limits society put on her.

Thanks to her hard work and persistence, Mary became NASA’s first Black female engineer in 1958. She worked on important aerospace projects, helping to improve aircraft designs and support early space missions. She also dedicated her later career to mentoring other women and minorities, encouraging them to pursue STEM careers. Mary Jackson’s story is inspiring because it shows that talent, education, and determination can overcome obstacles. She demonstrates that even when society puts barriers in your way, perseverance can lead to success.

After becoming NASA’s first Black female engineer, Mary Jackson continued to work on aerospace projects, contributing to the success of many space missions. She worked on studies that improved aircraft design and aerodynamics, helping the United States in the space race.

In the later part of her career, Mary focused on mentoring young women and minorities at NASA. She wanted to open doors for others that had been closed to her. She worked in NASA’s Equal Opportunity Program, advocating for women and people of color in STEM fields. This part of her life shows that she was not only a talented engineer but also a leader and role model.

Mary Jackson retired from NASA in 1985, after more than 30 years of work. But even in retirement, she continued to support education and equality, visiting schools and speaking to young students about her life and the importance of science and math.

She passed away on February 11, 2005, at the age of 83. Her story remained relatively unknown to the general public until the book Hidden Figures was published in 2016, followed by the movie adaptation the same year, which brought her incredible achievements to the world stage.

Today, Mary Jackson is remembered not only as a brilliant engineer, but also as a trailblazer for equality and women in STEM. In 2019, NASA honored her by naming its headquarters the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters, ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire future generations.

In my opinion, Mary Jackson’s life is a perfect example of courage, determination, and hope. She did not simply accept the place society tried to give her. Instead, she chose to fight for her education and her career, even when the system was unfair.

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