Katherine Johnson 1918 - 2020

[Abernovo]

Katherine Johnson didn't produce science fiction (as far as I know). She inspired science fiction by her work, helping put the US into space, helping put astronauts on the Moon, working in the Space Shuttle project, and forging a trailblazing career in NASA, which laid the ground for other women, and other people of colour, and proving that talent, hard work, and persistence pays off.

Her early career was portrayed in Hidden Figures, a film about the African American mathematicians (computers) who worked for NASA in the 1950s and 60s. She wrote the maths, the science, which informs science fiction. She was, simply, inspirational.

Katherine Johnson: A Lifetime of STEM

 

[Foxbat]

To be honest, I knew nothing about about this woman until she was given an award by President Obama. The world needs many more like her.

 

[CupofJoe]

I only know about her from the film. It's a great film.
And FB is right. the world needs more people like her in the future.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

An amazing life. RIP.

 

[BigBadBob141]

So sad to hear this, see the film "Hidden Figures" just to get an idea what women of her time and colour had to put up with, to not just be a woman but to be black as well was a double whammy, a true pioneer, R.I.P.