Who Is The Great Katherine Johnson? Discover the Inspiring Journey of This African American Teen in a Must-Read Book!

Are you ready to dive into a fascinating story that will leave you feeling inspired? Look no further than the incredible life of Katherine Johnson, an extraordinary African American woman who made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and space exploration! In this article, we will delve into the captivating journey of Katherine Johnson, exploring her achievements, struggles, and lasting legacy.

The Early Life of Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. From a young age, she displayed remarkable academic abilities and a passion for numbers. Despite the racial prejudices prevalent at the time, Katherine's parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams and never let anything hold her back.

After completing high school, Katherine Johnson enrolled at West Virginia State College, one of the few colleges that accepted African American students at the time. There, her talent for mathematics flourished, and her professors recognized her extraordinary abilities.

WHO IS THE GREAT KATHERINE JOHNSON, AFRICAN AMERICAN TEEN BOOK: AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGE BOOK

by Ellen Labrecque (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1856 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	70 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Katherine Johnson's Contributions to NASA

In 1953, Katherine Johnson joined NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). She was assigned to the all-black West Area Computing Unit, where she was one of the few female African American mathematicians. Despite facing numerous obstacles due to her race and gender, Katherine's brilliance shone through, and her expertise became highly valued within the organization.

Katherine Johnson's most significant contributions came during the space race era, working on projects that sent humans into space. She calculated the trajectory for the first American human spaceflight, allowing astronaut Alan Shepard to be the first American to go to space. Her calculations were crucial in ensuring the success and safety of these missions.

Later on, Katherine worked on the Apollo program, helping to calculate and verify the trajectory for the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed humans on the moon for the first time. Her work at NASA was instrumental in advancing space exploration and making history.

Challenges and Barriers Faced

Katherine Johnson's journey was not without its challenges. As an African American woman working in a predominantly white and male environment, she faced discrimination and prejudice. Segregation laws meant that she often had to use separate facilities from her white colleagues, and she had to fight for recognition and respect for her work.

Despite these barriers, Katherine Johnson persevered and proved her worth time and time again. Her dedication and brilliance prevailed, and she became an integral part of NASA's success.

Recognition and Legacy

It wasn't until later in her life that Katherine Johnson's contributions received the recognition they deserved. In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for her groundbreaking work at NASA. This prestigious honor highlighted the significant impact she made on America's space program.

Katherine's remarkable story also gained widespread attention through the 2016 film, "Hidden Figures." This movie celebrated the contributions of Katherine Johnson, along with her colleagues Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, shedding light on the often-overlooked African American women who played pivotal roles in NASA's success.

Katherine Johnson's legacy continues to inspire countless individuals, especially young women of color, to pursue careers in STEM fields. Her determination, talent, and refusal to let society's limitations define her serve as a testament to the power of resilience and belief in oneself.

In , the story of Katherine Johnson is one that deserves to be shared. Her journey from a small town in West Virginia to becoming an essential figure at NASA, despite the prejudices and challenges she faced, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

If you're seeking an empowering read that will captivate and motivate you, look no further than the book "Who Is The Great Katherine Johnson?" This compelling tale will leave you in awe of Katherine's achievements and inspire you to reach for the stars, just as she did.

WHO IS THE GREAT KATHERINE JOHNSON, AFRICAN AMERICAN TEEN BOOK: AFRICAN AMERICAN TEENAGE BOOK

by Ellen Labrecque (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1856 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	70 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

GREAT GIFT FOR GIRLS!

Katherine Johnson has been called "the girl who loved to count".  She said, “I counted everything… anything that could be counted, I did.” She has become famous as one of the subjects of a bestselling book by Margot Lee Shetterly, called Hidden Figures. The book told about black women math experts who helped put men on the moon.   It was made into a movie, also called Hidden Figures, with Taraji P. Henson playing Johnson.  
Before she became famous, she had to get an education and to work hard. She learned to make the most of the opportunities that came her way.  Johnson and most African-Americans had to deal with prejudice in every part of their life.
Women continue to be treated by different standards than men, even today, but in the 1960’s it was a thousand times harder for women and a million times harder for African –American Women to become successful or accomplished in any field. This story describes some of the difficulties and the many accomplishments Katherine Johnson experienced in her life.