MARY JACKSON: NASA’S FIRST BLACK FEMALE ENGINEER
Mary Jackson was a mathematician and aerospace engineer whose groundbreaking work helped shape NASA’s early space missions. She broke racial and gender barriers in a time of segregation, ultimately becoming NASA’s first Black female engineer . Her contributions in aerodynamics and spacecraft design helped pave the way for human spaceflight, making her one of the most influential figures in space exploration history. 🔥 FROM MATHEMATICIAN TO ENGINEER Mary Jackson’s career at NASA began in 1951 when she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. She worked as a human computer in the segregated West Area Computing Unit, performing complex mathematical calculations essential to aircraft and space technology. 💡 Key Contributions: Worked under the guidance of engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki , who encouraged her to become an engineer. Overcame racial and gender barriers to enroll ...