Katherine Johnson, the mathematician whose calculations were crucial for groundbreaking space missions, has just been honored by NASA with a facility in her name.
Established in 1993, the Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V) in West Virginia has been renamed the Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility, according to the association.
“Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1918, Katherine’s intense curiosity and brilliance with numbers lead her to a distinguished career with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and NASA.”
Johnson was played by Taraji P. Henson in 2016 film Hidden Figures.
From left: Janelle Monae, Katherine Johnson, Taraji P. Henson, and Octavia Spencer present the award for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
“I am very appreciative to WVSU for giving me the opportunity to create the monument sculpture of Mrs. Katherine Johnson,” artist Frederick Hightower told Metro News. “This sculpture being on our campus will not only honor the great accomplishments of Mrs. Johnson, but will also bring national attention and recognition to one of America’s great HBCUs, West Virginia State University.”
Today the University community gathered to dedicate a statue and scholarship in honor of our amazing alum Katherine Johnson. The statue will serve as a source of inspiration to current and future students of all that is possible through dedication, hard work and perseverance. pic.twitter.com/iFOqxnr1eH
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