Mary Jackson Quotes: Wisdom from a Pioneering NASA Engineer

• Don’t limit yourself to someone else’s opinion of your capabilities.
• Believe in yourself and know that you’re as good as anyone else.
• There are no boundaries to what one can achieve with hard work and determination.
• Every little thing you do could be a stepping stone to something bigger.
• Let your actions speak louder than your words.
• Keep reaching for the stars, you may just actually touch one.
• The only time you fail is when you stop trying.
• Strive not to be a success, but rather to make a difference.
• Life is a puzzle, and we’re all unique pieces. Find where you fit and do it best.
• The world won’t change itself. Be the energy you want to attract.
• Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.
• Stop worrying about being accepted and start accepting yourself.
• Nothing is impossible. The very word says ‘I’m possible’!
• Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you’re doing, you will be successful.

Hidden Figures Quotes

• Never let anyone dim your lights, especially when your light is worth shining.
• With determination, compromise, faith, love and patience, anything is possible.
• Stay clear of negativity ? focus on the positive.
• We can’t change our past, but we can start a new chapter with a happy ending.
• Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
• You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
• We have to strive for representation, which is at the heart of what being American is about. – Mary Jackson.
• Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. – Mary Jackson.
• The only race we’re in is the human one. – Mary Jackson.
• Strive for excellence, don’t settle for ordinary. – Mary Jackson.
• Dream, believe, achieve! – Mary Jackson.
• Every mind deserves to reach its full potential. – Mary Jackson.
• The future belongs to those who dare to dream. – Mary Jackson.

Famous Quotes

• The fight for justice is never ending. – Mary Jackson.
• Measure your success not in achievements, but in the number of lives you touch. – Mary Jackson.
• Your attitude determines your altitude. – Mary Jackson.
• Believe in possibilities and you’ll see opportunities. – Mary Jackson.
• Brains are not black or white. They are one color, and that color is grey. – Mary Jackson.
• Live a life that leaves an imprint for the good of those who will follow. – Mary Jackson.
• In always pursuing the truth, you will find your path. – Mary Jackson.
• Turn impossible to ‘I’m possible’ – Mary Jackson.
• Life doesn’t always give you what you want, but if you pay attention, it will give you what you need.
• The only race I’m interested in is the human race.
• Embrace the fear, do not run from it. It’s the only way to real growth.
• Sometimes the stars we reach for, are already within our own souls.
• No one ever told me I couldn’t do it, because I was a woman, a Black woman. I just went ahead and did it.
• Failure is just another step towards success.

Inspirational Mary Jackson Sayings

• Always aim high, even when you’re told your targets are impossible.
• I’m not just a mathematician, I am also a woman and a mother. I am living proof that you can be all three.
• Don’t let anyone dim your light, simply because it’s shining in their eyes.
• Dare to step out and challenge the norms, if that’s what it takes to reach your dreams.
• We are limited, not by the color of our skin or our gender, but by our beliefs.
• Hard work and perseverance are the ultimate keys to success, no matter your background or status.
• Understanding that the world doesn’t owe you anything is the first step to achievement.
• Everybody has talent, but it’s how you utilize it that matters the most.
• It’s not about being the first, but to inspire others to follow.
• Break barriers and build bridges. That’s how to leave a legacy.
• Seeing beyond the impossibilities is what leads to discovery.
• Innovation isn’t driven by a single person, but by the collective minds of many.
• Break down the walls that limit you, unleash your potential, and let the world marvel at your brilliance.
• When faced with a problem, don?t complain about it, solve it.

FAQ Mary Jackson Quotes

How did Katherine Johnson’s work at NASA prove vital in helping the U.S. win the space race?

Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA, played a crucial role in the early years of the space program. Her calculations of orbital mechanics were essential for the success of the first U.S. crewed spaceflights, including the mission that landed astronauts on the moon. Her work helped the United States win the space race against the Soviet Union, showcasing her contributions as instrumental in the field of space exploration.

What groundbreaking role did Dorothy Vaughan play at NASA, and how did she overcome the challenges of her time?

Dorothy Vaughan became the first African American female head of a department at NASA, then known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), in 1949. In an era of racial and gender discrimination, Vaughan navigated through significant social barriers to lead and mentor a group of African American female mathematicians. Her leadership and expertise in computing and mathematics paved the way for many to follow in her footsteps, contributing significantly to NASA’s missions and the advancement of women and African Americans in engineering and science.

What significant achievement does Mary Jackson hold in NASA’s history, and how did her journey inspire future generations?

Mary Jackson earned the title of NASA’s first black female engineer, breaking through the barriers of gender and race in a field dominated by white males. Her perseverance and success in upgrading from a mathematician to an engineer at NASA demonstrated the possibilities for African American women in the aerospace sector. Jackson’s story, highlighted in the movie “Hidden Figures,” continues to inspire countless young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, underlining the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping the future of science and technology.

Can you describe the contributions of African American mathematicians to NASA’s success during the space race, as depicted in “Hidden Figures”?

“Hidden Figures” sheds light on the contributions of African American mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson to NASA’s success during the critical years of the space race. These women, known as “human computers,” performed complex mathematical calculations that were essential for launching crewed spaceflights, including John Glenn’s orbit around Earth and the Apollo moon landing mission. Their pioneering work not only helped the U.S. achieve significant milestones in space exploration but also challenged the racial and gender prejudices of their time, marking a significant chapter in the history of aerospace science and civil rights.

What inspired Margot Lee Shetterly to write about the African-American female mathematicians who played a vital role at NASA during its early years?

Margot Lee Shetterly was inspired to write about the African-American female mathematicians at NASA after learning about their significant contributions that had remained largely unrecognized. Growing up in Hampton, Virginia, Shetterly knew some of these women personally, referring to them as “friends of mine” and “angels on earth.” Her research unveiled the stories of these pioneering women who worked as human computers, calculating the math needed to launch rockets and astronauts into space. Shetterly aimed to honor their legacy and highlight their critical role in the success of NASA, especially during pivotal moments like the supersonic and space race eras starting from 1942 through the early space missions in the 1960s.

How did attending an all-white high school influence the aspirations of students planning to become engineers in Virginia during the 1960s?

Attending an all-white high school in Virginia during the 1960s was a significant challenge for African-American students aspiring to become engineers or scientists. This period was marked by racial segregation and the beginning of integration efforts in the American South. For those African-American students, being one of the few, or possibly the only one in their class, presented a unique set of challenges and barriers, from facing racial prejudices to often being underestimated academically. However, for some, these challenges acted as a catalyst, inspiring them to pursue their dreams with even greater determination. Their success would not only represent a personal achievement but also serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of African-American students.

Can you describe the impact of the protagonist’s work on the development of NASA’s space program in 1961?

In 1961, one of the three protagonists, whose stories are told in “Hidden Figures,” played a vital role in NASA’s space program by performing critical mathematical calculations that enabled the United States to progress in the space race. Their work involved computing trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths for Project Mercury, which included the first American manned spaceflight. Their contributions were pivotal in ensuring the missions’ success, demonstrating the indispensable role of human computers in overcoming the challenges of space exploration. The accuracy and reliability of their work helped establish NASA’s reputation in aerospace achievements and marked a significant step towards equality in the workplace, showcasing the extraordinary capabilities of African-American women scientists.

How did the achievements of African-American mathematicians at NASA in the early 1960s serve as an inspiration for future generations?

The achievements of African-American mathematicians at NASA in the early 1960s have served as a profound source of inspiration for future generations. These women broke through racial and gender barriers to contribute significantly to America’s space missions, proving that with talent, determination, and hard work, it is possible to overcome societal limitations and prejudices. Their stories, popularized by the book and film “Hidden Figures,” highlight their roles as pioneers who paved the way for diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. For young students, especially girls and students of color, these mathematicians embody the possibilities that await in STEM careers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and succeed in areas traditionally dominated by others.