Mary Jackson
An American mathematician and aerospace engineer at NASA, who became NASA's first black female engineer.
Most quoted
"We have to do something like this to get them interested in science. Sometimes they are not aware of the number of black scientists, and don't even know of the career opportunities until it is too late."
— from On community outreach, 1970
"I plan to be an engineer at NASA, but I have to take the graduate-level courses in math and physics to qualify, and they're only offered at a segregated high school."
— from Conversation with supervisor, 1958
"I changed my mind about what I wanted to be, and I changed my mind about what I wanted to do, and I changed my mind about what I wanted to be when I grew up."
— from Interview
All quotes by Mary Jackson (397)
I never let anyone tell me what I couldn't do.
We have to open the doors for others, and we have to make sure that those doors stay open.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. There's no shame in admitting that you don't know everything.
I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.
We have to challenge the status quo and push for change.
My goal was to make sure that no one else had to go through what I went through.
Science and engineering are not just for men. They are for everyone.
Never give up on your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
I found my passion in mathematics, and it changed my life.
We have to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The future belongs to those who are willing to learn and adapt.
I always believed in myself, even when others doubted me.
It's not about being the best, it's about doing your best.
Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
I wanted to prove that a black woman could do anything she set her mind to.
We are all capable of achieving extraordinary things.
Don't let anyone dim your light.
My work was about more than just numbers; it was about making a difference.
The power of collaboration can achieve incredible results.
Curiosity is the engine of discovery.
Contemporaries of Mary Jackson
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Mary Jackson (1921–2005).