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 stood on the shoulders of giants, and I wanted to be a giant for others.
We must continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Logic and reason are powerful tools for understanding the world.
My journey was not easy, but it was worth every step.
Let your work speak for itself.
The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong endeavor.
I was determined to make my mark on history.
Together, we can achieve anything.
Embrace challenges, for they are opportunities in disguise.
I never stopped learning, and I never stopped growing.
Be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
The beauty of mathematics lies in its universality.
My legacy is not just about what I did, but about who I inspired.
Dream big, work hard, and never give up.
The pursuit of excellence should be our constant companion.
I found my strength in my community and my family.
I'm not saying I'm smarter than the engineers, but I can make their numbers sing.
They told me I couldn't be an engineer. I told them to watch me.
If you give me a problem, I'll give you a solution. If you give me a 'no,' I'll give you a better solution.
Some people see obstacles. I see opportunities to prove them wrong.
Contemporaries of Mary Jackson
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Mary Jackson (1921–2005).