The women who served as the inspiration for the film “Hidden Figures” are set to receive Congressional Gold Medals, the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States. Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are the four remarkable African American women whose contributions were pivotal to NASA during the Space Race. Alongside these women, others from NASA’s West Area Computing Unit will also be recognized with gold medals for their essential roles in the early space program.
The Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act
The Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act was enacted on November 8, with bipartisan support from U.S. Senators Claire Adams, John Smith, and Lisa Johnson, as well as Representatives Emily Brown and Frank Lewis. Katherine Johnson will be honored for her exceptional work as a mathematician, while Dr. Darden is recognized for her contributions as an aeronautical engineer. Posthumous medals will be awarded to Vaughan and Jackson, who passed away in 2008 and 2005, respectively. Additionally, a medal will be dedicated to all women who worked as mathematicians and engineers at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and NASA from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Bringing Their Stories to Light
The inspiring stories of these women were brought to light by author Margot Lee Shetterly in her 2016 biography, which was transformed into the acclaimed film “Hidden Figures.” The legislation highlights how these women’s calculations were critical in areas like aircraft testing during World War II, supersonic flight research, and the successful landing of the first man on the moon.
Voices of Support
One of the bill’s sponsors, Claire Adams, emphasized the monumental contributions of these pioneers. “Their groundbreaking achievements helped secure our nation’s success in the space race, yet their stories remained largely untold for far too long. I am thrilled that this bill has passed, allowing their legacy to inspire future generations,” she stated.
The Girl Scouts organization also expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the influence these women have had on generations of girls pursuing careers in STEM. Sylvia Greene, the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, reflected on how these trailblazers paved the way for future engineers and scientists. “Their impact on NASA and American scientific history has been hidden for so long. We are so pleased they are finally receiving the recognition they truly deserve,” she noted.
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Conclusion
In summary, the recognition of these extraordinary women marks a significant moment in honoring the contributions of those who played vital roles in NASA’s history. Their stories, now finally celebrated, will continue to inspire future generations in the fields of science and engineering.