Katherine Johnson

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" (Martin Luther King Jr). When trying something new, one person will have to step up to the plate, and others will eventually follow. This is what Katherine Johnson did when she worked at NASA. She was the first female to calculate and work on missions at the Langley Research Center. Johnson paved a road for other females to follow. She was a space scientist who worked at NASA for thirty-three years (Ewing). She helped launch the first American, (Alan Shepard), to space and she provided the math for multiple missions, including: the Mercury Project, John Glenn's orbit, and Apollo 11 (Ewing). Throughout her work, she co-wrote twenty-five scientific and technical papers and worked on various other projects about space exploration (Ewing). Katherine grew up and worked during a time of inequality. She was a black, female living in the sixties. To make money and keep a job she had to work twice as hard. A hero is someone who isn't afraid to work hard and is determined to get what they want. Johnson demonstrated these traits through her work, making her a hero. Katherine Johnson is a hero and and an inspiration because of the determination and hard work she exhibited through her job and accomplishments.

Johnson determined to get machine working. (http://thehumancomputerproject.com/women/katherine ())

Johnson's determination got her through racial and gender restrictions, enabling her to accomplish her goals. Johnson faced various obstacles, but didn't let anything stand in her way: ¨Despite the racial and gender discrimination that prevailed within the organization, Johnson was accepted and treated as an equal because of the accuracy of her work¨ (Ewing). Katherine Johnson was successful and she proved to others she could do anything she set her mind to. She's a hero because her determination gave others hope and the belief that even when faced with problems, one shouldn't stop persevering their dreams. Johnson accomplished numerous achievements because of the determination she had:

For Katherine, finding the 'why' meant enrolling in high school at the age of 10;

calculating the trajectory of Alan Shepard's trip to space and the Apollo 11's mission to

the moon; and providing the foundation that will someday allow NASA to send our

astronauts to Mars. She literally wrote the textbook on rocket science. (qtd. in "NASA") The NASA Deputy Administrator, Dava Newman, said this about Johnson. Determined, Johnson was able to accomplish a lot at NASA, making her a hero. This allowed her to reach her dreams which would later affect the dreams of other women and African-Americans. Johnson was successful in her career because of the determination she displayed in all her work.

Here, Johnson is demonstrating her hard work. (https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/katherine-johns ())

Katherine Johnson's hard work allowed her to succeed in her career and gain respect for women and African-Americans. As a kid, Johnson's hard work reflected through her accomplishments: "[Johnson was] handpicked to be one of three black students to integrate West Virginia's graduate schools..." (Shetterly, "Katherine Johnson Biography"). Johnson was chosen to integrate an all white school because of her vigorous work in previous classes. She is a hero because her hard work created this opportunity, and as a result opened a door for other kids to walk through one day. By attending an all white school, she gave hope to others who wanted to choose the school they attend. Katherine worked at NASA for a great period of time. At NASA she was, ¨A pioneering space scientist who broke racial and gender barriers, Johnson specialized in mathematics and physics during a career spanning more than thirty years with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)¨ (Ewing). Johnson, being a black woman living and working in the sixties, is a hero because she proved that women can do anything men can, and people can't be judged based on their skin color. Johnson gained respect for people like her through her magnificent work. Johnson's hard work throughout school resulted in her landing a job at NASA. Her hard work was respected by many, which lead to more equality.

Johnson receiving an award for her work. (http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/08c39c4129 ())

Determination and hardworking are two traits Katherine Johnson exhibited, making her a hero and an inspiration. Johnson put all her effort into her work and was determined to finish assignments efficiently and accurately. This allowed her to succeed and remain a legend at NASA. Katherine Johnson worked during a time of inequality and she, "...was the first African American woman electrical engineer hired at the National Aeronautical and Space Administration's Langley Research Center¨(Webster). Johnson didn't let discrimination stop her on the road to her dreams. She is an inspiration for others to follow because she was able to follow her own dreams even when the odds were stacked against her. Katherine Johnson inspires me because she is a perfect example of how determination and hard work pay off. She reminds me that it doesn't matter what a person looks like, what matters is the fire that's inside them. When faced with challenges, I think of Katherine Johnson and I'm reminded to work hard and stay determined. Martin Luther King Jr. said that for everything that is done in life, someone has to do it first; Katherine Johnson did exactly that when she became the first female to work at NASA's Langley Research center.