Katherine Johnson
An American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first U.S. crewed spaceflights.
Most quoted
"We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics."
— from Acceptance Speech, 2015
"The women did what they were told to do. They didn't ask questions or take the task any further. I asked questions. I wanted to know the why. I wanted to know the how, and I wanted to know the when."
— from Interview
"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."
— from Interview
All quotes by Katherine Johnson (380)
I always tried to be the best at what I did.
Education is the key to opening doors.
Numbers don't lie.
I loved going to school.
Segregation was there, but it didn't stop me.
He wanted me to check the numbers.
It's better to be prepared than to be lucky.
I was born with a love for numbers.
Women in STEM face challenges, but perseverance wins.
Every calculation mattered for the mission's success.
My family encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
Precision in math saves lives.
I never let barriers define my potential.
The trajectory of a rocket is like poetry in motion.
Doubt your doubts before you doubt your calculations.
Life is a series of equations to solve.
I enjoyed the challenge of complex problems.
Encourage young girls to love math.
NASA gave me a platform to shine.
Accuracy is non-negotiable in space travel.
Contemporaries of Katherine Johnson
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Katherine Johnson (1918–2020).