Early Start
Born in 1918, Katherine Johnson's intense curiosity and brilliance with numbers vaulted her ahead several grades in school. By 13, she was attending high school on the campus of historically black West Virginia State College, and at 18, she enrolled in the college itself.
Key Achievements
- Co-authored a report laying out the equations for orbital spaceflight
- Verified the computer's calculations for John Glenn's orbit around Earth
- Calculated the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015
Why They Inspire Us
Katherine Johnson's brilliance with numbers and her perseverance in the face of racial and gender barriers make her an inspiring role model for children, showing them that with hard work and dedication, they can achieve their dreams.