Dorothy Vaughan
An American mathematician who worked for NASA and was one of the agency's first African-American managers.
Most quoted
"I saw the writing on the wall and I got into the computer business. I'm not going to sit around and wait for them to tell me what to do."
— from Biography/Interviews, 1960
"Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men."
— from Interview, 1980
"I always said, 'If you're going to do something, do it right.' Especially if it's sending someone into space."
— from Fictionalized accounts/interpretations
All quotes by Dorothy Vaughan (374)
We were doing important work for our country.
I tried to be a good role model for the younger women.
The sky's the limit if you work hard enough.
We were the computers before there were computers.
I believed in the power of education to change lives.
It wasn't always easy, but we persevered.
We were making history, one calculation at a time.
I always tried to treat everyone with respect.
Knowledge is power.
We were a family, in a way, working towards a common goal.
I wanted to make a difference.
Don't be afraid to take risks.
The numbers don't lie.
I was proud of the work we did.
Always strive for excellence.
We proved that women could do anything.
The future belongs to those who are willing to learn.
I just kept pushing forward.
Every calculation mattered.
We were a vital part of the space program.
Contemporaries of Dorothy Vaughan
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Dorothy Vaughan (1910–2008).