9th April 1921

Born on April 9, 1921, Mary Jackson was a trailblazing American mathematician and aerospace engineer who broke systemic racial and gender barriers to become NASA’s first Black female engineer. 

Beginning her career in 1951 as a "human computer" in the segregated West Area Computing unit at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, later NASA), Jackson complexly analysed data from wind tunnel experiments. To advance her career, she fought a segregated legal system to gain permission to attend night classes at an all-white high school, ultimately earning her promotion to engineer in 1958. Her critical work on aerodynamics directly contributed to the success of the early U.S. space program. Later in her career, she transitioned into human resources to actively champion the hiring and promotion of women and minorities within the agency.

Honouring Mary Jackson's legacy reminds us of the critical importance of fighting prejudice, fostering inclusion, and ensuring equal access to STEM education for all underrepresented communities.