Mary Jackson

Mary Jackson was a mathematician and NASA’s first Black female engineer. Her brilliant contributions to the organization played an integral role in the 1969 moon landing. She eventually shifted her career to focus on advocating for the hiring and promotion of women in NASA’s science, math, and engineering programs. In 2016, Mary’s inspiring story was portrayed within the Oscar-nominated film “Hidden Figures.”

 

Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen were military fighter and bomber pilots, airmen, and support personnel. They were the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces and battled in World War II. Despite fighting for the country, they endured racial discrimination within the military and beyond, but that didn’t stop them from making groundbreaking contributions that were undeniably significant in the overall victory of the Allied Forces.