Part of the 3rd Grade East She Persisted Series

Introduction

Have you ever heard of Katherine Johnson? She was a NASA engineer. She did not go to space. She calculated numbers for people to orbit the earth. She was an African American woman and she worked at NASA. Read on to find out more about Katherine.

Early Years

Katherine Johnson was born on August 26th, 1918 in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia. She was the youngest of three children for as long as she could remember. When her eldest brother Charles was ready for high school she moved 120 miles away to the Institute of West Virginia. When it was time for school she skipped 1st grade she she could already read. When she started high school Katherine was ten. When Katherine was 15 she went to college. Most people go to College at 18.

Adult years

In 1934 Katherine was hired at NASA in a group called “Computers in Skirts.” It was a group of black mathematicians. Before she worked at NASA she taught french and piano to little girls and boys. When Katherine worked at NASA she did one thing, she asked questions. Before Katherine got married her last name was Globle but after she got married she changed her name to Johnson. She also had three children whom she adored.

Accomplishments

Have you ever seen the moon? Guess what Katherine Johnson helped calculate numbers for the second man in space. She also helped the First American orbit the earth and did the math to launch a rocket. In 2015 she got the medal of freedom from President Obama.

Conclusion

Katherine Johnson inspired little girls and boys to be interested in math, science rockets and space. She persisted because she was the only girl in a boys group.

“There is no such thing as a dumb question.” –Katherine Johnson