GREAT WOMAN OF MATHEMATICS: Katherine Johnson, 1918-2020. Brilliant mathematician who graduated high school at age 14 despite the obstacle of no local public school being available for Black students. Took every available maths course at West Virginia State, an HBCU, which 1/6 
added new courses for her. Was mentored by W.W.S. Claytor, the third Black American to earn a PhD in mathematics. Graduated at age 18 with degrees in both mathematics and French. Personally integrated West Virginia University after a ruling by the Supreme Court. Took time off 2/6
to raise her kids. After the early loss of her first husband, was a single mother until re-marriage at age 41. Started at NASA in 1958 where she was one of the many women involved in the space program, a remarkable achievement in a pre-feminist era that was also still very 3/6
early in the civil rights movement. There she calculated or helped calculate the trajectories for multiple space flights, including Apollo 11's 1969 flight to the moon. Her genius was so integral to the space program that she was trusted with the astronauts' lives, making the 4/6
backup navigation charts to be used in the event of electronic failure. Authored or co-authored 26 research reports during her 33 years of service. Made famous by the book and feature film, "Hidden Figures," she has also been honored by multiple buildings named after her, a 5/6
lifesize statue at WVSU, a Barbie doll in her likeness, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to her in 2015 by President @BarackObama.
Katherine Johnson died on February 24, 2020, at age 101. Surely her spirit is among the stars she helped humanity reach. /end
Katherine Johnson died on February 24, 2020, at age 101. Surely her spirit is among the stars she helped humanity reach. /end
