Mary Jackson

Early Life

Mary Winston Jackson was born in 1921 in Hampton, Virginia. As a child, she loved learning and was very curious about how things worked.

She was especially good at math and science, and her teachers noticed her talent. Mary believed that education was the key to reaching her dreams.

Love for Learning

Mary went to college and studied math and physical science. She worked very hard and never gave up, even when school was challenging.

After college, she became a teacher and later worked as a mathematician. Her strong skills helped her solve tricky problems using numbers and formulas.

Working at NASA

Mary began working at a research center that later became part of NASA. At first, she worked as a mathematician, helping engineers with important calculations.

She dreamed of becoming an engineer, but at that time, not many women were engineers. Mary took extra classes at night and worked hard to earn her engineering title.

A Historic Achievement

In 1958, Mary Jackson became NASA’s first Black female engineer. This was a huge achievement and a proud moment in history.

She helped test and improve airplane and spacecraft designs, making them safer and faster. Her work helped scientists learn more about flying and space travel.

Helping Others Succeed

Later in her career, Mary noticed that other women and people of color needed more chances to grow. She chose to help them by becoming a leader and mentor.

She worked to make sure everyone had a fair chance to learn, work, and succeed at NASA.

Legacy

Mary Jackson’s story shows how courage, learning, and kindness can change the world. She proved that dreams are possible with hard work and belief in yourself.

Today, she is remembered as a hero who opened doors for others and helped reach for the stars.