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 was proud of my heritage.
I believed in equality.
I fought for what was right.
I was a woman of science.
I contributed to the space program.
My story is part of American history.
I hope my work inspires others.
I was a pioneer in my field.
I challenged the status quo.
I made a difference.
I believed in the power of dreams.
I embraced challenges.
I never stopped learning.
I was a testament to what's possible.
My journey was unique.
I left my mark on the world.
I am a mathematician, and I am proud of it. I am also a woman, and I am proud of that too.
There are no shortcuts to success. You have to work hard, and you have to be persistent.
I believe that every person has the potential to achieve great things, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The sky is not the limit. It's just the beginning.
Contemporaries of Mary Jackson
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Mary Jackson (1921–2005).