In 1951 Mary W Jackson was recruited by the National Aeronautical Advisory Committee
Washington:
NASA announced Wednesday that it will rename its Washington headquarters after its first black engineer, Mary Jackson, whose story was told in the blockbuster movie “Hidden Figures”.
“Mary W Jackson was one of a group of very important women who helped NASA successfully bring American astronauts into space,” said Jim Bridenstine, administrator of NASA in a statement.
“Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break down barriers and open up opportunities for African-Americans and women in engineering and technology.”
In 1951 Jackson was recruited by the National Aeronautical Advisory Committee, which in 1958 was replaced by NASA.
She was a research mathematician who was later promoted to become the agency’s first black female engineer.
Bridenstine has announced that the new Mary W Jackson NASA headquarters building will be located on “Hidden Figures Way”, which was renamed last year.
The movie “Hidden Figures” tells the story of Jackson and his fellow mathematicians Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson.
Jackson, who was starred in the film by singer-actress Janelle Monae, died in 2005.
“Hidden more, we will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African-Americans and people from all walks of life that made NASA exploration a success,” said Bridenstine.
This decision by NASA comes as weeks of protests in the United States have triggered a national toll of systemic racism and racial inequality.
“NASA facilities across the country are named after people who have dedicated their lives to pushing the boundaries of the aerospace industry,” said Bridenstine.
“The nation is beginning to realize the greatest need to honor the diversity of people who have helped pave the way for our great nation.”
(This story has not been edited by GalacticGaming staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
