Source:
NASA
NASA has officially renamed their agency's headquarters after the first African American female aerospace engineer, Mary W. Jackson. Born in Hampton, Virginia, Mary Jackson began her job with NASA in the segregated West Area Computing Unit of the agency's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. She went on to lead programs overseeing the hiring and promotion of women in their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics NASA careers. Administrator Jim Bridenstine made an announcement with the following statement about Mary:
"Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space. Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology," said Bridenstine. "Today, we proudly announce the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building. It appropriately sits on 'Hidden Figures Way,' a reminder that Mary is one of many incredible and talented professionals in NASA's history who contributed to this agency's success. Hidden no more, we will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African Americans, and people of all backgrounds who have made NASA's successful history of exploration possible."
Read the full story about Mary W. Jackson's life here.
