Today we learned that Katherine Johnson, the mathematician who calculated trajectories for so many of the early human space missions, has passed away at the age of 101.

She has written an autobiography titled “Reaching for the Moon”, and we’re going to encourage all of you to read about the life of this black woman who managed to become a leading mathematician at a time when public school wasn’t even available in her town past grade 8. She is a role model for all of us.

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More Information

• Trailblazing “Hidden Figures” NASA Scientist Katherine Johnson Has Died At Age 101 (BuzzFeed News)