NEW YORK — The hidden figures of the space race were recognized with Congress’ highest honor at a medal ceremony on Wednesday.
The Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the families of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Christine Darden at the U.S. Capitol. Darden watched the ceremony from her Connecticut home.
A medal was also given to all the women who worked as mathematicians, engineers and “human computers” in the U.S. space program from the 1930s to 1970s.
“By honoring them, we honor the very best of our country’s spirit,” said author Margot Lee Shetterly, whose book “Hidden Figures” was adapted into a film in 2016.
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics – a precursor to NASA – hired hundreds of women to crunch numbers for space missions. The Black women hired worked in a segregated unit of female mathematicians at what is now NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia.
Johnson’s hand-written calculations helped John Glenn become the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 – the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Vaughan rose to become NASA’s first Black supervisor and Jackson was NASA’s first Black female engineer. Darden is best known for her sonic boom research.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
In a historic and long-overdue recognition, Congress recently honored the “Hidden Figures” of the Space Race with the highest civilian award in the United States, the Congressional Gold Medal. The award ceremony, held in Washington D.C., paid tribute to the African American women mathematicians and engineers who played a crucial role in the success of NASA’s early space missions.
The women, who were portrayed in the hit 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” worked as human computers at NASA during a time when segregation and discrimination were rampant. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including being relegated to separate workspaces and being denied recognition for their contributions, these women persevered and made significant contributions to the success of the space program.
Among those honored at the ceremony were Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, whose groundbreaking work in calculating trajectories and designing spacecraft paved the way for some of NASA’s most iconic missions, including John Glenn’s historic orbit around the Earth.
Congressional leaders praised the women for their resilience and determination in the face of adversity, highlighting their role in breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of women and minorities in STEM fields.
In a statement, Senator Kamala Harris remarked, “These women are true American heroes whose contributions to the space program have been overlooked for far too long. It is an honor to finally recognize their incredible achievements and ensure that their legacy is preserved for future generations.”
The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an individual or group by Congress, and is reserved for those who have made a lasting impact on American society. The award serves as a fitting tribute to the “Hidden Figures” who played a crucial role in shaping the course of history and inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.
As we celebrate the achievements of these trailblazing women, it is important to remember the importance of diversity and inclusion in the fields of science and technology. By recognizing and honoring the contributions of all individuals, regardless of race or gender, we can ensure that our society continues to progress and thrive.
