Meet the Black Female NASA Genius Who Helped Send the First American Into Space

By Natalie Rivera

Updated on 8/26/2016 at 3:52 PM

Katherine Johnson was one of the pioneering black female mathematicians behind NASA's first space voyages, yet most of us never learned about her in our history classes. Here's why.

More Videos

Yara Shahidi to Hold Voting Plans Discussion With Her Peers: "We Are in This Space Together"

10/07/2020

Yara Shahidi to Hold Voting Plans Discussion With Her Peers: "We Are in This Space Together"

As the 2020 election approaches, the need to have an established voting plan becomes increasingly clear.

Survivors Relive the Parkland Shooting in New, Emotional Documentary — Watch an Exclusive Clip

02/13/2019

Survivors Relive the Parkland Shooting in New, Emotional Documentary — Watch an Exclusive Clip

On Feb. 14, 2018, a gunman armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle walked into building 12 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, and opened fire, killing 17 students and staff members and injuring 14 more.

Let's Take a Look Back at President Obama's Best Turkey Pardon Punchlines

11/22/2018

Let's Take a Look Back at President Obama's Best Turkey Pardon Punchlines

As Donald Trump performed his second annual presidential turkey pardon on Nov. 20, we thought it would be fitting to take a look back at one particular Commander in Chief who really made the event his own.

Why Ashlee Marie Preston's 34th Birthday as a Transgender Woman Is a HUGE Deal

06/19/2018

Why Ashlee Marie Preston's 34th Birthday as a Transgender Woman Is a HUGE Deal

On June 7, Ashlee Marie Preston turned 34 years old.

Meet the Deaf-Blind Lawyer Fighting For People With Disabilities

01/31/2018

Meet the Deaf-Blind Lawyer Fighting For People With Disabilities

It's easy to forget how inaccessible our world is to anyone with limited vision or hearing.

What Asia Kate Dillon Wants You to Know About Being Female and Gender Nonbinary

01/30/2018

What Asia Kate Dillon Wants You to Know About Being Female and Gender Nonbinary

"I feel that my gender identity is fluid, and they/them/theirs is the best representation of that for me."

This 16-Year-Old Survivor Is Fighting to End Female Genital Mutilation

01/17/2018

This 16-Year-Old Survivor Is Fighting to End Female Genital Mutilation

Rebecca is one of an estimated 200 million women and girls alive today who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) across the world.

3 Major Election Day Wins For Women That Will Give You Hope

11/09/2017

3 Major Election Day Wins For Women That Will Give You Hope

On Nov. 7, Virginia elected its first openly transgender candidate for the state legislator and Charlotte, NC, voted in its first black female mayor.