Mathematician and trailblazer Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. A prodigy in mathematics from an early age, she graduated high school at 14 and went on to earn her degree from West Virginia State College, graduating summa cum laude in 1937. Two years later, she became the first African American woman to attend graduate school at West Virginia University. In 1953, Johnson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) as a “human computer,” performing complex flight calculations by hand. When NACA transitioned into NASA in 1958, she played a vital role in the Spacecraft Controls Branch, contributing essential computations for the Mercury and Apollo programs, including John Glenn’s historic orbital flight and the Apollo 11 mission. Her precision and intellect earned her the trust of astronauts and engineers alike, many of whom relied on her calculations over those of early digital computers. Retiring in 1986 after more than three decades of service, Johnson continued to inspire generations through her publications and mentorship. In 2015, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her groundbreaking contributions to space exploration. She passed away in 2020 at age 101, leaving an enduring legacy of courage, brilliance, and perseverance.
Inducted in 2024.
Portrait Location: Not Currently on Floor

Induction Video