NASA Honors 'Hidden Figures' Heroine Katherine Johnson With a Research Building Named After Her
PHOTO: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
It has been a big year for Katherine Johnson, the “human computer” who served as the brains behind NASA’s launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Hidden Figures, the movie based on her inspiring—though, until recently, largely unknown—career premiered in January 2017. Taraji P. Henson portrayed Johnson onscreen, and the film won for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Even more importantly, the film and its portrayal of Johnson is being credited with galvanizing more young women to consider careers in science and technology. Now, in a very much overdue honor for the trailblazer, NASA has just dedicated a new facility to honor the mathematician: the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility.
Johnson was celebrated at the building’s ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week. In a pre-taped interview before the ceremony, the 99-year-old was asked how she felt about the recognition she was receiving. “You want my honest answer?,” she says. “I think they’re crazy.” Johnson then went on to acknowledge her coworkers, many of whom also remained unrecognized until Hidden Figures made a splash on the big screen. “I was excited at something new, always liked something new,” she said. “But give credit to everybody who helped. I didn’t do anything alone but try to go to the root of the question and succeeded there.”
PHOTO: Photo courtesy of NASA
ICYMI, NASA has been planning a much-talked about mission to Mars, the calculations for which could very well be done in Johnson’s new building. It that were to happen, says Johnson, “I’ll be exceedingly honored, greatly honored.”
Johnson also took a moment during her interview to share her advice for the young NASA engineers who will work at her namesake building. “Do your best, but like it,” she says. “Like what you do and then you will do your best.” Johnson credits that and her strong work ethic for her own success.
Watch her inspiring interview below:
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