When I first saw the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, not only was I astounded by the achievements the women it depicted managed to accomplish, but also shocked that I had never heard their stories before. The film, which was nominated for three Oscars, tells the tale of three African American women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. Three women who, being extremely gifted in their scientific fields, all worked for NASA as ‘human computers’ to send American astronauts into space for the first time ever. It presented their lives, both professionally and personally, revealing every sacrifice they had to make and every prejudice they faced on a day-to-day basis. They were truly inspiring figures.

But this article is not about the film. It is about the life of Mary Jackson, the mathematician, scientist, and engineer that Hidden Figures portrayed. It is about a woman who broke down all barriers and norms to achieve the goals she set out for herself. It is about a life that has now been honoured by NASA, 35 years after she retired, and 15 years since she died. In a move that surely should have come much sooner, NASA has named their Washington DC Headquarters after Jackson to honour her work and achievements in aerospace technology.

After attending and graduating from the Hampton Institute in 1942, Jackson first worked as a maths teacher in a school in Maryland. She changed careers many more times, becoming a receptionist, a book-keeper, and an army secretary before she finally got to where she wanted to be at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. She worked in the segregated Computing Unit (where black and white colleagues were separated), using calculations and equations to solve many mathematical problems. Once NASA had taken over operations in 1958, Jackson became its first black female engineer and worked on NASA’s 4×4 supersonic pressure tunnel. This was no mean feat for she had to complete training courses and classes in order to become qualified – courses that, at the time, were not open to African Americans. She went up against the City of Hampton, petitioning them to allow her to take classes with white students at the University of Virginia night classes. After fighting hard, she won the petition and finally earned the promotion she was longing for. 

But she did not stop there. 

Not only is Jackson an icon for African Americans, but she is also an inspiring figure for women everywhere. After working on engineering projects for just over two decades, she began to realise she had a calling elsewhere. In one last striking and yet trademark move, she left engineering and science to become Langley’s Federal Women’s Programme Manager. Here she worked until her retirement to ensure that the next generation of women from any background could freely become employed and be promoted within NASA without having to fight for their rights. Her daughter, Ms. Lewis, rightly describes her as a ‘scientist, humanitarian, wife, mother and trailblazer who paved the way for thousands of others to succeed, not only at NASA, but throughout this nation.’ More accurate words could not be said to describe this woman who against all odds became an inspiration to all. NASA has now reflected that inspiration, although I would argue that it should have come much sooner. 

To me, this is a powerful message. 

In light of recent events and the Black Lives Matter movement, NASA’s move in naming their headquarters after Jackson seems to raise the question of whether we are finally seeing a breakdown in America’s institutional racism. It is a question that only time can answer, although I would argue that we are already witnessing change. Never before has a movement united people like this in a way that has statues toppling and institutions no longer turning a blind eye to a racially unjust past. The ongoing protests both in America and around the world have shown that real positive change can and will happen. Already, the world has witnessed a power and a determination that has swept across the globe. It is not often that we see people unite in this way – and that to me is proof enough that things are changing. 

NASA can be praised for not ignoring the problem, and charging at it headfirst. Its Administrator, Jim Bridenstine, commented that ‘the nation is beginning to awaken to the greater need to honor the full diversity of people who helped pioneer our great nation,’ establishing NASA’s new and ongoing mission to praise all who push the frontiers of science and space. Mr. Bridenstine continued on, saying that NASA knows ‘there are many other people of color and diverse backgrounds who have contributed to our success, which is why we’re continuing the conversations started about a year ago with the agency’s Unity Campaign.’ In my opinion, NASA is one of the institutions that is making incredible changes to challenge the deep-rooted racism that has plagued America for years. It is an institution that many admire for its achievements, it is also extremely influential and has the power to make a positive impact in many areas of society.

Whilst some would argue that NASA has only renamed its headquarters after Jackson because the protests have pushed it to, I would disagree. NASA has already honoured Katherine Johnson, another ‘Hidden Figure’ and colleague of Jackson, by dedicating a new Langley research facility to her in 2017. In 2019, they renamed their headquarters’ street ‘Hidden Figures Way,’ once again in honour of Jackson and her colleagues. And this is not even mentioning the signing of the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act in 2019 by President Trump. So NASA has already taken huge steps forwards, even if they were a little late to do so.

We can safely say that NASA is addressing the issue of racism. However, NASA is only a small link in a very long chain. America’s institutional racism is not something that can be changed overnight, and it certainly is not something that will be uprooted easily. But I have hope that perhaps we are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is further away than we would like. 

So, with the story of Mary Jackson and her ‘Hidden Figures’ just as inspirational and meaningful as ever, we should treat it as hope that things are changing. Yes, NASA should have honoured these brilliant women much sooner than they did. Yes, there are still many more African Americans who have not been recognised or appreciated as they should have been. But as long as we continue to fight against prejudice, racism will end. After all, we still have a long way to go.

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