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)
The only thing I'm afraid of is a problem without a solution. And even then, I'm just temporarily annoyed.
They wanted a 'human computer.' I gave them a human who computes better than any machine.
My secret weapon? A sharp pencil and an even sharper mind.
You can doubt my abilities, but you can't doubt my results.
I'm not just solving equations; I'm shaping the future.
It's a man's world, they said. I just made it a little more mathematically sound.
Failure is not an option. It's just a detour to a better solution.
My mind is a calculator, but with a much better sense of humor.
They wanted precision. I gave them perfection.
I've got more degrees than a thermometer, and I'm still rising.
Don't mistake my quiet demeanor for a lack of intelligence. I'm just busy calculating.
My contributions might be behind the scenes, but the results are front and center.
Some people talk about the glass ceiling. I just kept calculating my way through it.
I don't just dream of flying; I calculate how to get there.
The only thing constant is change, and my ability to adapt to it with a new formula.
They called me a 'computer.' I called myself an innovator.
My brain is a supercomputer, and it runs on coffee and determination.
You can try to hold me back, but gravity has less pull than my ambition.
I'm not just good with numbers; I'm good at making them work for humanity.
It's funny how a little bit of math can launch a giant leap for mankind.
Contemporaries of Mary Jackson
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Mary Jackson (1921–2005).