For Black History Week at Sophia High School, we spotlight the impactful life of Katherine Johnson. Her achievements in STEM – overcoming racial and gender barriers along the way – show our students the strength of curiosity and resilience. In this week’s article, by our Secondary Specialist Teacher Roshni Sharma, we’ll dive into how her journey speaks to our values of inclusivity and excellence, inspiring our learners and community to reach further and aim higher.
Roshni Sharma
Challenging Stereotypes and Barriers
Katherine Johnson broke through racial and gender barriers at NASA during the 1950s and 1960s. As a Black woman working in a predominantly white and male environment, she refused to be limited by societal expectations. She defied racial segregation practices, such as separate restrooms and dining facilities, asserting her right to be treated equally within the workplace.
Asserting Her Expertise
Known for her curiosity and assertiveness, Johnson consistently questioned her colleagues and insisted on being included in key decision-making meetings at NASA. She famously stated, “We needed to be assertive as women in those days — assertive and aggressive — and the degree to which we had to be that way depended on where you were. I had to be.” Her determination set a precedent for inclusion within fields often dominated by men.
Pioneering Contributions to Space Exploration
Johnson’s mathematical skills were critical to numerous NASA missions, including:
- Calculating the trajectory for the 1961 Mercury mission
- Syncing the Apollo 11 lunar lander with the moon-orbiting command module
- Providing backup procedures for the Apollo 13 mission, ensuring the crew’s safe return
These contributions reshaped the narrative around who could excel in STEM education and problem-solving roles.
Inspiring Future Generations
After retiring, Johnson dedicated her time to speaking with students about her career, encouraging them to pursue a strong education in STEM fields. She emphasised the lasting importance of mathematics and science, stating, “There will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.”
Sharing Her Story
Johnson took an active role in reclaiming her narrative by writing her story for young readers in her 2019 book, Reaching for the Moon. In it, she described her approach to overcoming obstacles: “I didn’t allow their side-eyes and annoyed looks to intimidate or stop me. I also would persist even if I thought I was being ignored. If I encountered something I didn’t understand, I’d just ask… I just ignored the social customs that told me to stay in my place.”
Recognition and Legacy
The publication of Hidden Figures and its film adaptation brought Johnson’s story to a global audience, challenging long-standing narratives about the contributions of Black women to space exploration and STEM fields. Her legacy continues to inspire efforts to promote inclusion and highlight often-overlooked stories of women and people of color within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
By consistently questioning, excelling in her work, and later sharing her story, Katherine Johnson paved the way for greater diversity in STEM and reaffirmed that school and education play a vital role in shaping future generations who excel in problem-solving and critical thinking.
