Mary W. Jackson by Victorio Fabila Sebastian

 Mary W. Jackson was a pioneering African American mathematician and aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to the field of aerospace engineering. She is best known for her work on the NASA Space Task Group, which was responsible for sending the first American astronaut into orbit around the Earth. In this essay, we will explore the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Mary W. Jackson.

Early Life and Education

Mary W. Jackson was born on April 9, 1921, in Hampton, Virginia. She was the daughter of Ella Scott and Frank Winston, who were both schoolteachers. Her parents encouraged her to pursue education, and she attended the all-black George P. Phenix High School in Hampton. After graduating from high school, Jackson went on to attend Hampton Institute, a historically black college, where she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physical science in 1942.

Career at NASA

After college, Jackson began her career as a math teacher in Maryland. In 1951, she moved back to Virginia and joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which was the precursor to NASA. Jackson started as a research mathematician and worked in the West Area Computing unit, where she performed calculations and analysis for aerospace engineers.

In 1958, NACA was dissolved and replaced by NASA, and Jackson was reassigned to the newly formed Space Task Group. Jackson's work at the Space Task Group was groundbreaking, as she was one of the first black women to work as an engineer at NASA. She was tasked with performing complex calculations for the trajectories of space flights, including those of astronaut John Glenn, who became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962.

In 1979, Jackson earned a promotion to the position of Federal Women's Program Manager, where she was responsible for ensuring that women were treated fairly and had equal opportunities at NASA. She retired from NASA in 1985 after a 34-year career.

Legacy and Honors

Mary W. Jackson's legacy as a pioneer in aerospace engineering and her contributions to NASA were recognized with numerous honors and awards. In 1979, she was awarded the Apollo Group Achievement Award for her work on the Apollo program. In 1992, Jackson was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, and in 2019, she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Jackson's story was also highlighted in the 2016 book "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race" by Margot Lee Shetterly. The book was adapted into a movie in 2016, where Jackson was portrayed by actress Janelle Monae.

Mary W. Jackson's contributions to the field of aerospace engineering and her trailblazing career at NASA have inspired countless individuals, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in STEM fields. Her work on the Space Task Group was instrumental in sending the first American astronaut into orbit and her advocacy for women's rights at NASA paved the way for future generations of women in STEM. Jackson's legacy as a pioneer in the field of aerospace engineering will continue to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in STEM fields.