NASA’s ‘Hidden Figures’ receive Congressional gold medal

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Four women overcame challenges on Earth, to get humanity to space. They were honored with Congressional Gold Medals on Wednesday.

“In Jim Crow America, there was no evidence that those four Black women would have a realistic chance to succeed,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

But they did. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson worked in a segregated unit of human computers for the space program. Their calculations helped take people to space, and eventually, the moon. They’re the inspiration for the award winning film, Hidden Figures.

Dr. Christine Darden was a renowned aerospace engineer and NASA’s first Black female engineer.

“They were the mathematical whizzes, these African American ladies, who made it possible for John Glenn to orbit, who made it possible to go to the moon,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.).

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow. Johnson, Vaughan and Jackson were awarded posthumously. Darden watched from home.

“The women we honor today made it possible for Earthlings to lift beyond the bounds of Earth,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Leaders said, they hope the stories of these “hidden figures” inspire the next generation of engineers and mathematicians.

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