On August 26, 1918, Katherine Johnson entered the world.

Katherine Johnson, a trailblazing mathematician, was born on Aug. 26, 1918, in West Virginia. She began her academic journey at a young age, graduating from high school at the age of 14 and enrolling at West Virginia University in 1939. Johnson was one of the first three Black students to integrate the state's graduate schools.

In 1952, Johnson joined the all-Black West Area Computing section of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor of NASA. Her contributions to NACA were significant, as she authored or co-authored 26 research reports and played a pivotal role in the space race.

Johnson's calculations were crucial for the trajectories of some of the most iconic missions in NASA's history. She calculated the trajectory of Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 mission, the first human spaceflight in the U.S., and checked the electronic computer's calculations for John Glenn's Friendship 7 orbital mission, which marked the first American to orbit Earth.

Johnson's story, along with Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, was documented in the biography "Hidden Figures," published in 2017. This book brought her accomplishments to the forefront, highlighting her invaluable role in NASA's success.

Johnson's dedication and expertise were recognised with numerous accolades. In 2015, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. She retired from NASA in 1986 but continued to inspire future generations.

Sadly, Johnson passed away in 2020 at the age of 101. Her legacy lives on, not only as a symbol of perseverance and intelligence but also as a testament to the power of diversity and inclusion in the pursuit of scientific advancement. Johnson's contributions to NASA and the world of mathematics will never be forgotten.