Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson are the real-life go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders of Hidden Figures, the story of the African American women mathematicians behind some of NASA’s greatest victories. Follow along as we honor each of these inspiring women who broke through countless barriers around race, gender, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Dorothy Vaughan—the Go-getter 

Dorothy Vaughan, Lessie Hunter, and Vivian Adair – the “Human Computers.” Image via NASA

“I changed what I could, and what I couldn’t, I endured.”

Dorothy Vaughan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1910. Her mother passed away when she was only two years old and her father soon remarried. Her stepmother became a driving force for Dorothy’s education, teaching her to read before she entered school, which allowed Dorothy to advance two grades. At age eight, her father moved her family to Morgantown, West Virginia, where she eventually attended the Beechhurst School. Her hard work earned her valedictorian honors and a full scholarship to Wilberforce University, the country’s oldest private African-American college. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the
age of 19.

Dorothy Vaughan. Image via the Human Computer Project

Dorothy soon set her sights on graduate studies at Howard University. Instead, because she felt she had a responsibility to help her family during the Great Depression, she took a job as a teacher—a difficult search during an economic turndown when school systems were slowly being shut. Eventually, Dorothy settled in Farmville, Virginia, where she met and married her husband, Howard, and had four children. Always fearing for her family’s future, Dorothy never turned down a chance to earn and save money. So, when she read an article announcing a search for African American women to fill mathematical jobs, she was intrigued.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 prohibiting racial discrimination in the national defense industry—including the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), now National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Thanks to the executive order, Dorothy was one of the first African American women to be hired as a NACA mathematician and was assigned to the West Area Computers group.

Dorothy was responsible for calculating computations for engineers to help them conduct aeronautical experiments in wind tunnels—all to improve space flight accuracy. By 1949, Dorothy had become the first African-American supervisor at NACA (even though the official title was not given to her until years later). She was responsible for teaching new concepts to new and existing employees—Katherine Johnson was once assigned to Dorothy’s group prior to her transfer to Langley’s Flight Mechanics Division. This position gave Dorothy visibility and allowed her to advocate for female employees, both African-American and white, who deserved promotions or raises.

Dorothy Vaughan. Image via Daily Press

When NACA became NASA, Dorothy joined the Analysis and Computation Division where she did some of the first computer programming and became proficient in coding languages. These skills helped her earn a place with the Scout Launch Vehicle Program, one of the country’s most successful launch vehicles, capable of sending 385-pound satellites into orbit. Near the end of her career, Dorothy, along with Mary Jackson, had the opportunity to work closely with Katherine Johnson again to launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit—a turning point in the global space race.

Despite her efforts, Dorothy never received another management role before she retired in 1971, but that didn’t stop this go-getter! She consistently advocated for herself and her peers and accepted any challenge that came her way. She was the leader that the West Area Computers and NASA needed to make some of most incredible space adventures in history successful.

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are the real-life go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders of Hidden Figures, the story of the African American women mathematicians behind some of NASA’s greatest victories. Follow along as we honor each of these inspiring women who broke through countless barriers around race, gender, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Katherine Johnson—the Risk-taker

Katherine Johnson at her desk. Image via NASA

“Luck is a combination of preparation and opportunity. If you’re prepared and the opportunity comes up, it’s your good fortune to have been in the right place at the right time and to have been prepared for the job.”

As far back as she remembers, Katherine Johnson had a love of counting.

“I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed … anything that could be counted, I did.”

Her classes came easy to her; in fact, she completed eighth grade by the age of 10. And because her county did not provide higher education for African American students after eighth grade, Katherine’s father moved the family 120 miles away so she could attend high school. She adjusted to her new school quickly and finished four years later.

Katherine Johnson, 1971. Image vis NASA

Soon after, Katherine attended West Virginia State College, graduating summa cum laude with degrees in math and French—at the age of 18. The following year, she became the first African-American woman to desegregate the graduate school at West Virginia University; however, she felt unwelcomed and left to pursue teaching.

In 1939, Katherine married James Francis Goble. They had three daughters—Joylette, Katherine, and Constance—all of whom were Girl Scouts! Although Katherine had to work incredibly hard to provide for her family, she enjoyed teaching, feeling it was her responsibility to instill discipline and self-respect in her students and help advance the African American community.

It was in 1952 that a life-changing opportunity came knocking at Katherine’s door. On learning that the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later to become NASA, was hiring African American women to serve as “computers,” checking calculations for technological developments, Katherine joined the effort. She quickly caught the attention of her new bosses and was asked to temporarily join the all-male flight research team. While the racial and gender barriers were still there, Katherine ignored them and simply asked to be included in meetings, insisting that she had done the work and she belonged. Her temporary position with the team soon became permanent.

Katherine Johnson receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Image via the White House

By 1959 Katherine was in charge of calculating the trajectory for the space flight of Alan Shepard, the first American in space. How did she get that job? She took a risk—she stood up and made clear her intent. She told her boss, “You tell me when you want it and where you want it to land, and I’ll do it backwards and tell you when to take off.” She was never questioned again. In fact, in 1962, NASA started using computers for the first time—but it relied on Katherine to verify the numbers. Katherine’s remarkable accuracy soon led to the historic Apollo 11 mission that successfully landed the first humans on the moon.

Katherine continued to serve as a key asset for NASA until her retirement in 1986. In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, for pioneering the advancement of African American women in STEM. Today, her groundbreaking work and unwavering spirit continue to inspire girls and women around the world.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the first known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts, we’re taking #BlingYourBooth to a whole new level by inviting you to be a part of the new Cookie Troop 100.

Here’s how:

• Set a troop goal and share the plan for your cookie money—what amazing stuff will you do to improve your community this year?
• Earn a Cookie Business badge—you can take your pick!
• As a troop, ask 100 new customers to buy cookies.
• Bling Your Booth. Gather your troop and get those creative juices flowing to come up with a fun theme—a party, a race, a cookie disco—what will it be? You can even give it a Cookie Troop 100 twist. Just remember to snap a cool photo!
• Submit your entry by April 30, 2017.

One lucky troop from every council around the country will win $100 to put toward its awesome cookie Take Action or service project. And one very lucky troop will win $3,000 to super power its project!

Every participant will also unlock her very own Cookie Troop 100 patch! Enter the Cookie Troop 100 Challenge today! 

Need some inspiration for your blinged-out cookie booth? Check out last year’s winners or follow along on Pinterest!

Actresses, leaders, sources of inspiration—and true Girl Scouts. This week, the world had to say goodbye to two phenomenal women who exemplify what it is to be a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™: Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Carrie Fisher.

Debbie Reynolds in her Girl Scout uniform. Getty Images via CNN

 

Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds had a humble upbringing and was a supporter of Girl Scouts from the very beginning. A Girl Scout herself, she earned more than 42 badges and even joked that she wanted to become the world’s oldest living Girl Scout.Troop leader of her daughter’s and stepdaughter’s troop, Reynolds participated in the Girl Scout Piper Project, a three-year program launched at the National Council meeting (referring to Girl Scouts’ national convention) in 1966 to encourage more girls to participate in Girl Scouts. As honorary national piper, she shared her Girl Scout experience through her song “Follow the Piper.”

Reynolds’ Girl Scout experience even came in handy the day she met her Singin’ in the Rain costar, Gene Kelly. Unaware that she had no real dance experience, Kelly asked her if she could do a time-step, and she happily replied, “Yes, I learned it at Girl Scout camp!”1 Singin’ in the Rain became one of Reynolds’ most challenging experiences, but her hard work and dedication earned her instant fame and led to renowned roles in films such as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, How the West Was Won, and Mother.

Later in her acting career, Reynolds was asked by a friend, “When are you going to get over being a Girl Scout?” And her response? “Never. I like being a Girl Scout.”

Carrie Fisher Getty Images, via Yahoo

 

Carrie Fisher
When she wasn’t leading secret missions, befriending Ewoks, or saving the galaxy, Carrie Fisher was a writer and producer, an advocate for mental health and drug abuse awareness, and a force for female empowerment.Known as the family bookworm, Fisher spent much of her childhood reading classic literature and writing poetry. She was introduced to acting and singing at the age of 15, performing as a debutante in the Broadway revival Irene, alongside her mother. After spending 18 months at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, Fisher was accepted into Sarah Lawrence College, though she didn’t graduate due to her taking on the role of Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars.

Her success as the fearless princess (and later general) of the Star Wars saga led Fisher to roles in The Blues Brothers, Hannah and Her Sisters, and When Harry Met Sally. She also never left her love of writing, penning several semi-autobiographical novels and successful screenplays—one of which, These Old Broads, starred her mother along with Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, and Shirley MacLaine.

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Ron Galella/WireImage, via ENews

We applaud and will always fondly remember Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher as original go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders who inspire girls to work hard and never give up in achieving their dreams. Rest in peace, Girl Scouts.

1: “7 Fun Facts About the Unsinkable Debbie Reynolds,” Biography.com