Cotton Canvas Tote Bag (Mary Jackson)

Mary Jackson (born April 9, 1921, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.—died February 11, 2005, Hampton) was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer. She made history by becoming the first African American female engineer to work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 🚀

Here are some key points about her remarkable journey:

Early Career and Education:

Mary Jackson graduated with honors from the all-black George P. Phenix Training School.
She earned a dual degree in mathematics and physical science from the Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in 1942.
Breaking Barriers at NASA:

In 1951, Jackson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), where she was part of the West Area Computing unit—a group of African American female mathematicians.
Despite segregation and discrimination, she contributed essential data to the early success of the U.S. space program.
In 1958, she became the first Black female engineer at NASA after it was established (NACA had merged into NASA).

Engineering Career:

Jackson worked as an aerospace engineer for about 20 years.
Her focus was on studying airflow around aircraft.
Unfortunately, she faced barriers and was denied management-level positions.
Advocacy and Legacy:
In 1979, she took a demotion to become the manager of the women’s program at NASA.
In this role, she worked to improve opportunities for all women within the organization.
Mary Jackson’s contributions gained greater recognition after her passing in 2005.
She, along with other remarkable women like Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson, inspired the book and film “Hidden Figures”, which highlighted the untold story of Black women mathematicians who played a crucial role in winning the space race.

Mary Jackson’s determination, brilliance, and advocacy continue to inspire generation