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Meet the Black Pioneers Who Helped America Win the Space Race

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Published in Hidden Women: The African American Mathematicians Of NASA Who Helped America Win The Space Race (Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories)

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The story of the African American mathematicians who helped America win the space race is one of brilliance, perseverance, and triumph. These unsung heroes played a vital role in the development of the computers and software that powered the Apollo missions to the moon. Their contributions helped America achieve a major milestone in human history and paved the way for future advancements in space exploration.

Hidden Women: The African-American Mathematicians of NASA Who Helped America Win the Space Race (Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories)

by Rebecca Rissman

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17258 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	112 pages

Who Were These Mathematicians?

The African American mathematicians who worked at NASA were a diverse group of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They came from all over the country and from all walks of life. Some were born into poverty, while others came from more affluent families. Some had a passion for mathematics from a young age, while others discovered their love of the subject later in life.

Despite their different backgrounds, these mathematicians shared a common goal: to use their talents to help America achieve its ambitious space goals. They were all brilliant minds with a deep understanding of mathematics and a strong work ethic. They were also dedicated to their work and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

What Did They Do?

The African American mathematicians at NASA played a vital role in the development of the computers and software that powered the Apollo missions to the moon. They worked on a wide range of tasks, including:

Designing and programming the computers that guided the Apollo spacecraft
Developing the software that processed the data collected by the Apollo astronauts
Creating the simulations that helped NASA engineers test the Apollo spacecraft and its systems

The work of these mathematicians was essential to the success of the Apollo missions. Their contributions helped America achieve a major milestone in human history and paved the way for future advancements in space exploration.

Why Were They Unsung Heroes?

Despite their significant contributions to the space race, the African American mathematicians at NASA were largely unsung heroes. This was due in part to the racism and sexism that was prevalent in American society at the time. Black women, in particular, faced double discrimination based on their race and gender.

As a result of this discrimination, the African American mathematicians at NASA were often overlooked for promotions and recognition. They were also often assigned to less glamorous tasks than their white male colleagues. Despite these challenges, they continued to work hard and make significant contributions to the space program.

Their Legacy

The legacy of the African American mathematicians who helped America win the space race is one of brilliance, perseverance, and triumph. These unsung heroes played a vital role in achieving a major milestone in human history. Their contributions paved the way for future advancements in space exploration and helped to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.

Today, the names of these mathematicians are finally beginning to be recognized. In 2019, NASA unveiled a new exhibit at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., that celebrates the contributions of the African American mathematicians who worked on the space program. The exhibit, called "Hidden Figures: The African American Mathematicians of NASA," tells the story of these unsung heroes and their role in America's space achievements.

The legacy of the African American mathematicians who helped America win the space race is one that should be celebrated. These brilliant minds overcame racism and sexism to make significant contributions to science and technology. Their story is an inspiration to us all.

The African American mathematicians who helped America win the space race were brilliant minds with a deep understanding of mathematics and a strong work ethic. They played a vital role in the development of the computers and software that powered the Apollo missions to the moon. Their contributions helped America achieve a major milestone in human history and paved the way for future advancements in space exploration.

Despite the racism and sexism they faced, these mathematicians persevered and made significant contributions to the space program. Their story is an inspiration to us all and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Hidden Women: The African-American Mathematicians of NASA Who Helped America Win the Space Race (Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories)

by Rebecca Rissman

4.1 out of 5