Birthday: August 26, 1918 (Virgo)
Born In: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, United States
Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson is an American mathematician who is known for her contributions to the U.S. space program. Her calculations and analysis have helped astronauts go to the Moon and chart many flight paths. She worked for NASA for over three decades, during which her pioneering calculations helped establish the organization’s credibility. As a child, Johnson’s acumen was apparent as she was great with numbers. She graduated with the highest honors and earned a degree in mathematics. She began working for NACA, NASA’s predecessor, and worked with other women in the West Computers division. She analyzed test data and provided mathematical derivations necessary for the space program. She was involved in NASA’s Mercury program, calculated the course of Freedom 7, and calculated and analyzed the launch of Apollo 11. Toward the end of her career, she worked for the space shuttle program. She received several prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her extraordinary career not only flouted gender and race stereotypes, it also helped America reach some of its greatest landmarks in space. Johnson retired from NASA in 1986. Her life served as an inspiration for the book, ‘Hidden Figures’, which was later turned into a movie.
Birthday: August 26, 1918 (Virgo)
Born In: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, United States
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Also Known As: Creola Katherine Coleman
Spouse/Ex-: Colonel James A. Johnson, James Francis Goble (m. 1939–1956)
father: Joshua Coleman
mother: Joylette, Joylette Roberta
children: Constance Goble, Joylette Goble, Katherine Goble
Born Country: United States
African American Mathematicians Mathematicians
Died on: February 24, 2020
place of death: Newport News, Virginia, United States
U.S. State: West Virginia
Notable Alumni: West Virginia State University
Grouping of People: Centenarian
education: West Virginia University, West Virginia State University
awards: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Virginia Women in History
100 Women (BBC)
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