Mary Jackson (engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Jackson
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Jackson in 1979
|
|
| Born |
Mary Winston
April 9, 1921 Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
|
| Died | February 11, 2005 (aged 83) Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
|
| Education | Hampton University (BS) |
| Known for | Aerospace engineer at NASA and advocacy for women in STEM fields |
| Spouse(s) |
Levi Jackson
(m. 1944; died 1992) |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Aerospace engineering |
| Institutions | NASA |
Mary Jackson (born Mary Winston, April 9, 1921 – February 11, 2005) was a brilliant American aerospace engineer. She worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. Mary spent most of her career at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. She began as a "human computer" in 1951, working in a section where people of different races were kept apart. In 1958, after special training, she made history as NASA's first black female engineer.
After many years, Mary Jackson became a top engineer. She then chose a new role to help other women. She became a manager in programs that supported fair opportunities. In this job, she worked hard to help women get hired and promoted in science, engineering, and math jobs at NASA.
Mary Jackson's incredible life story is told in the 2016 book Hidden Figures. She is also one of the main characters in the movie Hidden Figures, released that same year. In 2019, she received the Congressional Gold Medal after her passing. In 2021, NASA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., was renamed the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in her honor.
Contents
Her Early Life and Education
Mary Jackson was born on April 9, 1921. Her parents were Ella and Frank Winston. She grew up in Hampton, Virginia, USA. Mary was a very bright student. She graduated from high school with top honors. In 1942, she earned two bachelor's degrees from Hampton University. She studied mathematics and physical science.
Mary's Personal Life
Mary Jackson was a dedicated Girl Scout leader for over 30 years. In the 1970s, she helped kids in her community. She guided them to build a small wind tunnel. This allowed them to test airplane models.
She married Levi Jackson Sr. on November 18, 1944. Levi was a sailor in the U.S. Navy. They were married until his passing in 1992. Mary and Levi had two children, Levi Jr. and Carolyn Marie.
Her Amazing Career at NASA
After college, Mary Jackson taught math for a year. She taught at a school for African-American children in Maryland. At that time, many public schools kept students of different races apart. Mary also tutored high school and college students. She continued to help students throughout her life.
By 1943, Mary returned to Hampton. She worked as a bookkeeper and a clerk. In 1951, she became a clerk at Fort Monroe.
Starting as a Human Computer
Later in 1951, Mary Jackson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). This agency later became NASA in 1958. She started as a "human computer" at the Langley Research Center. This meant she performed complex math calculations by hand. She worked in a section where people of different races were kept separate. Her supervisor was Dorothy Vaughan.
Becoming an Engineer
In 1953, Mary began working with engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki. They worked in the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel. This was a huge wind tunnel that created winds almost twice the speed of sound. It helped study how air moved around airplane models. Czarnecki saw Mary's talent. He encouraged her to train to become an engineer.
To become an engineer, Mary needed to take special math and physics classes. These classes were held at night at an all-white high school. Mary had to ask the City of Hampton for permission to attend. She completed the courses and, in 1958, became NASA's first black female engineer. She studied how air flows around planes. This helped improve the design of U.S. aircraft.
Mary worked as an engineer in many different NASA divisions. She wrote or co-wrote 12 technical papers. She also helped other women and minorities advance their careers. She gave them advice on how to get promotions.
Helping Others Succeed
By 1979, Mary Jackson had reached the highest engineering title. She then chose a new path. She took on a role as an administrator in the Equal Opportunity Specialist field. This meant she would work to ensure fair chances for everyone. After training, she returned to Langley.
In this new role, Mary worked to create positive changes. She highlighted the achievements of women and minorities at NASA. She managed programs that supported women and fair opportunities. She helped shape the careers of many women in science, engineering, and math at NASA. Mary retired from NASA in 1985.
Mary Jackson passed away on February 11, 2005, at the age of 83.
Mary Jackson's Legacy
The inspiring 2016 movie Hidden Figures tells Mary Jackson's story. It also features the NASA careers of Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan. They all worked on Project Mercury during the Space Race. The movie was based on a book by Margot Lee Shetterly. Actress Janelle Monáe played Mary Jackson in the film.
In 2018, a school in Salt Lake City, Utah, was renamed in her honor. Jackson Elementary School now celebrates Mary Jackson.
On February 26, 2021, NASA's main building in Washington, D.C., was renamed. It is now called the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters. This honors her lasting impact.
Awards and Honors
Mary Jackson received many awards and recognitions for her work and dedication:
- In 1958, she became NASA's first black female engineer.
- She received the Apollo Group Achievement Award in 1969.
- She earned the Daniels Alumni Award for helping young people.
- The National Council of Negro Women recognized her community service.
- In 1972, she got a Distinguished Service Award.
- She was named Langley Research Center's Outstanding Volunteer in 1975.
- She was also Langley Research Center's Volunteer of the Year in 1976.
- The Iota Lambda Sorority honored her as an Outstanding Woman Scientist in 1976.
- She received the National Technical Association's Tribute Award in 1976.
- In 2019, she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Her family accepted it in 2024.
- A satellite, ÑuSat 17, was named "Mary" and launched into space on November 6, 2020.
- A large tunnel boring machine was named "Mary" in her honor in Fall 2020.
Images for kids
-
Jackson (first row, far right) with the 4′×4′ Supersonic Pressure Tunnel staff in 1956
-
Jackson working at the Langley Research Center in 1977
-
Jackson holding a wind tunnel model in 1977
-
Jackson working at a control panel in 1980
See also
In Spanish: Mary Jackson (ingeniera) para niños
 | Audre Lorde |
 | John Berry Meachum |
 | Ferdinand Lee Barnett |
