Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician, is widely known for her contributions to the American space program. Despite facing many challenges and obstacles as a woman of color in a male-dominated field, Johnson's exceptional mathematical prowess and determination played a pivotal role in setting the course for space exploration. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Johnson's life, highlighting his early years, his education, his career at NASA, and his lasting impact on mathematics and space exploration. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayBorn on August 26, 1918 in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, Katherine Johnson, and later Katherine Coleman, grew up in a very united. family. Her parents, Joshua and Joylette Coleman, strongly emphasized the importance of education, nurturing Katherine's early passion for numbers and problem solving. Recognizing their daughter's exceptional intellect, her parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams despite the racial and gender biases prevalent in their society. Johnson's early education was limited due to the lack of educational opportunities for African Americans in his community. However, her parents allowed her to attend school on the campus of West Virginia State College, where she excelled in mathematics and graduated summa cum laude at the age of 18. In 1939, Katherine Coleman became one of the first African American students. to enroll in the graduate program at West Virginia University. However, she faced significant racial discrimination and was forced to leave after only three semesters. Undeterred, she sought employment as a teacher in a segregated black school in Virginia. In 1952, Johnson learned of job openings at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. Despite prevailing prejudice against women and African Americans, Johnson was hired as a “computer” – a term used for mathematicians who performed complex calculations by hand. Her exceptional skills quickly caught the attention of her colleagues and supervisors, and she transferred to the Air Research Division. At NASA, Johnson's mathematical expertise played a crucial role in the success of many space missions. She calculated the trajectory of the historic flight of Alan Shepard, the first American to travel in space, in 1961. Johnson's calculations were critical in ensuring Shepard's safe return to Earth. Johnson also provided critical calculations for John Glenn's groundbreaking orbit around Earth in 1962. Glenn refused to embark on the mission without Johnson personally verifying the complex calculations performed by the newly introduced IBM computers. Johnson's work, along with the trust she earned from her colleagues, demonstrated the indispensability of human mathematicians to the space program. Katherine Johnson's contributions to the space program extended beyond her calculations. Her impressive career has helped pave the way for future generations of women and minorities in the fields of mathematics and science. Johnson's perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity inspired countless people, challenging society's norms and biases. In 2015, Johnson's achievements and contributions were recognized when she received the Presidential Medal of the..