Calculating a Path to the Stars: The Remarkable Journey of Katherine Johnson

While reading Margot Lee Shetterly’s “Hidden Figures,” I found myself captivated by the story of Creola Katherine Johnson. This remarkable mathematician’s journey from a counting-obsessed child to a key figure in America’s space race is nothing short of inspirational.

Born in 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Johnson’s love for mathematics manifested early in a passion for counting. As she once recalled, “I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed … anything that could be counted, I did.” This early fascination with numbers would prove to be the foundation for an extraordinary career.

Johnson’s intellectual gifts were evident from a young age. Skipping several grades, she entered high school at 10 and college at 15. She graduated summa cum laude from West Virginia State College at 18 with degrees in Mathematics and French.

In 1953, Johnson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), NASA’s predecessor, as a “computer” – a term then used for those performing complex mathematical calculations.

During her 33-year career at NASA and its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), Johnson became known for her mastery of complex manual calculations. She also helped pioneer the use of computers for these tasks. Her work included calculating trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths for Project Mercury spaceflights. Notably, she contributed to the missions of astronauts Alan Shepard (the first American in space) and her most famous contribution came during John Glenn’s orbital mission, where Glenn insisted that Johnson personally verify the computer’s calculations before his flight.

Johnson’s calculations were essential to the Space Shuttle program’s beginnings, and she even worked on plans for a mission to Mars. Her remarkable mathematical capability earned her the nickname “human computer.”

In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her pioneering spirit and enduring impact on American space exploration.

Katherine Johnson passed away in 2020 at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. As we continue to explore the cosmos, we do so, guided by the calculations and courage of pioneers like Katherine Johnson. Her contributions not only advanced America’s space program but also paved the way for future generations of women and minorities in STEM.

Bidisha Ghosh, avid reader and passionate content writer crafting engaging, insightful articles.