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)
Humor helps in tense situations, like double-checking orbits.
My mind was always racing with numbers.
Civil rights progress mirrors scientific advancement.
I calculated paths to the moon and beyond.
Persistence turns dreams into reality.
Being underestimated was my advantage.
Math is the language of the universe.
Teamwork at Langley was inspiring.
I laughed off the doubters with my results.
Every day was a lesson in resilience.
Space exploration unites humanity.
I owe my success to curiosity.
The numbers always told the truth.
Family support fueled my ambitions.
Overcoming prejudice requires quiet strength.
I found joy in solving the unsolvable.
Calculations for freedom fighters in space.
Wit is my weapon against adversity.
Life's meaning is in the pursuit of knowledge.
Excellence demands constant effort.
Contemporaries of Katherine Johnson
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Katherine Johnson (1918–2020).