Who is the engineer in hidden figures?

Mary Jackson: More Than Just a “Hidden Figure,” She Was a Force of Nature

“Hidden Figures” wasn’t just a feel-good movie; it shone a much-deserved spotlight on some seriously brilliant African-American women who were absolutely critical to NASA’s success during the Space Race. You probably remember Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan, but let’s talk about Mary Jackson – a mathematician who didn’t just crunch numbers, she smashed through barriers to become NASA’s first Black female engineer. Talk about a trailblazer!

Born back in 1921 in Hampton, Virginia, Mary was a bright spark from the get-go. She aced high school and then doubled down, earning bachelor’s degrees in both mathematics and physical science from Hampton University in ’42. Before she set her sights on NASA, she tried her hand at teaching math and a few other things.

Her NASA journey kicked off in 1951 when she landed a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. She started out as a “computer” at Langley Research Center, one of the women in the segregated West Area Computing division. These women, often overlooked, were the brains behind some incredibly complex calculations. Can you imagine the pressure?

Then, in ’53, something amazing happened. An engineer named Kazimierz Czarnecki saw something special in Mary and invited her to join him on some wind tunnel experiments. He knew she had the potential to be more than just a “computer,” so he encouraged her to go for a promotion to engineer. But there was a catch: she needed to take graduate-level courses in math and physics. And guess where those courses were held? In a segregated high school. So, Mary had to petition the City of Hampton just to get permission to attend! Seriously, the hoops she had to jump through…

But Mary wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. She nailed those courses, and in 1958, she made history, becoming NASA’s first Black female engineer! Her work focused on understanding how air flows around aircraft, which was super important for aerospace research. She even co-authored a bunch of reports, proving she was a force to be reckoned with.

Now, here’s a twist. After 34 years at NASA, and after reaching the highest engineering title she could, Mary actually took a demotion. Why? Because she wanted to become a manager in NASA’s Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Affirmative Action Program. She wanted to make sure other women, especially women of color, had the same opportunities she fought so hard for. She dedicated herself to helping them climb the ladder in science, engineering, and math. What a woman!

But Mary’s impact wasn’t just limited to her job. She was a Girl Scout leader for over 30 years, mentoring kids in her community. She even helped them build their own miniature wind tunnel to test airplanes. Talk about inspiring the next generation of STEM superstars!

Sadly, Mary passed away in 2005. But her story doesn’t end there. In 2019, she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, and in 2021, NASA honored her by renaming its Washington, D.C. headquarters after her: the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters. How cool is that?

Mary Jackson’s story is a powerful reminder that brilliance knows no color or gender. She was more than just an engineer; she was a pioneer who paved the way for so many others. Her contributions, once hidden, are now rightfully celebrated. She’s a true “Hidden Figure” no more. And honestly, she deserves all the recognition in the world.