Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who gained widespread recognition for her role in NASA’s space programs, including the Apollo Moon landing. However, while many are familiar with Johnson’s notable accomplishments, few know about her daughters and their extraordinary lives. For instance, Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore are two of Johnson’s daughters who have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields.
Joylette Hylick, Johnson’s oldest daughter, holds a Ph.D. in education and has dedicated her life to teaching children. She was even a teacher in her mother’s old school district and worked as an adjunct professor at Hampton University. Katherine Moore, Johnson’s younger daughter, is an accomplished lawyer who has worked in government and corporate law, as well as advocacy on behalf of the disabled. Both of these women were born at the height of the civil rights movement and have had to face the challenges of growing up in a segregated society.
Despite their mother’s legendary status, Hylick and Moore have lived quietly, often overshadowed by their mother’s incredible achievements. But their own journeys are just as worthy of recognition, and they continue to inspire others with their success stories. It’s time to peep behind the curtain and get to know the ladies who are Katherine Johnson’s daughters, to celebrate their remarkable achievements and discover what made them the incredible women that they are today.
Katherine Johnson’s Early Life
Katherine Johnson was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia on August 26, 1918. She was the youngest of four siblings in a family that valued education and mathematical ability. Her father, Joshua Coleman, was a farmer and handyman, and her mother, Joylette Coleman, was a teacher. Johnson showed an early interest in mathematics, and by the time she was ten years old, she was ready for high school.
- Johnson’s parents sent her to the historically black West Virginia State High School, where she excelled in math and graduated at age 14.
- She continued her education at West Virginia State College, where she studied math and French, and graduated summa cum laude at age 18.
- After college, Johnson became a teacher, but she eventually left the profession to pursue a career in mathematics.
Despite the barriers facing African-American women in the mid-20th century, Katherine Johnson went on to become a trailblazing mathematician, contributing to some of NASA’s most groundbreaking missions.
More About Katherine Johnson’s Life
Johnson’s early life set the stage for a long and successful career in mathematics. Her parents instilled in her a love of learning, which led her to pursue higher education at a time when many African-Americans did not have the opportunity to do so. She excelled in her studies and was determined to make a difference in the world.
Despite the challenges she faced as a woman of color in a male-dominated field, Johnson continued to pursue her passion for mathematics. She began working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA, in 1953 as a “human computer” – a term used to describe women who performed complex calculations by hand.
As her career progressed, Johnson became an integral part of NASA’s space program. She calculated trajectories for some of the agency’s most important missions, including Alan Shepard’s historic spaceflight in 1961 and the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969. She also worked on the Space Shuttle program and other projects throughout her career.
Katherine Johnson’s Family
Katherine Johnson was married to James Goble from 1939 until his death in 1956. The couple had three daughters: Constance, Joylette, and Katherine. After Goble’s death, Johnson married Lt. Colonel James A. Johnson in 1959. The couple remained married until James Johnson’s death in 2019.
| Daughter | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Constance | Retired from NASA Langley Research Center |
| Joylette | Retired teacher |
| Katherine | Lawyer |
Johnson’s daughters have spoken publicly about their mother’s life and achievements, and they have helped to ensure that her legacy lives on. They have spoken about the challenges that their mother faced as an African-American woman in the 20th century, and they have highlighted her many accomplishments in mathematics and science. Through their work, they have helped to inspire a new generation of women and girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.
Katherine Johnson’s Career
Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician known for her contributions to the United States’ space program. Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on August 26, 1918, Johnson showed an early talent for mathematics. After graduating from high school, she attended West Virginia State College and graduated with honors in 1937 with degrees in Mathematics and French.
Johnson started her career as a teacher, but her fascination with numbers led her to join the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor of NASA, in 1953. At NACA, Johnson was assigned to the Flight Research Division, where she analyzed data from flight tests.
- Johnson calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space, in 1961.
- She also verified the calculations of the first orbit around the earth, done by John Glenn in 1962.
- Her calculations were also essential in the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 that landed the first man on the moon.
Johnson’s expertise and professionalism were widely recognized, and she earned many awards and honors throughout her career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Johnson retired from NASA in 1986 but continued to inspire future generations of mathematicians and scientists.
Throughout her career, Johnson broke barriers and paved the way for women and minorities in the STEM fields. Her legacy is not only her contributions to the space program but also her advocacy for STEM education and the advancement of women and minorities in science and technology.
| Awards and Honors | Year |
|---|---|
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | 2015 |
| West Virginia Women’s Hall of Fame | 1993 |
| Langley Research Center Special Achievement Award | 1971 |
Katherine Johnson’s Family Background
Katherine Johnson, the pioneering African American mathematician whose work greatly contributed to the early days of NASA, came from a family of academic achievers. It is important to explore her family background to understand the environment that allowed her to develop into an exceptional mathematician.
- Parents – Katherine Johnson was born Katherine Coleman on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, to Joshua and Joylette Coleman. Her father worked as a farmer and a janitor, but was also self-educated and gifted at mathematics. Her mother was a teacher who left her job to help her husband manage their family store.
- Siblings – Katherine was the youngest of four siblings. Her sister, Margie, and brothers, Hancel and Horace, all had a love for learning that was instilled in them by their parents. However, they were not allowed to attend the white-only high school in their hometown. Instead, their father sent them to a school in Institute, West Virginia, where they could receive a better education.
- Children – Katherine Johnson married James Goble in 1939, and together they had three daughters: Constance, Joylette, and Katherine. Even though she was a busy working mother, Katherine always found time to cultivate her daughters’ learning. She would often quiz them on their math skills and teach them physics concepts.
Katherine Johnson’s family instilled in her a love for learning and a dedication to hard work, which translated into her exceptional mathematics skills. Her achievements not only paved the way for future female mathematicians and scientists, but also contributed greatly to the United States’ progress in space exploration.
References:
“Who Is Katherine Johnson? NASA Mathematician and Trailblazer.” Biography. https://www.biography.com/scientist/katherine-johnson.
Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race. William Morrow, 2016.
| Siblings | Education |
|---|---|
| Margie | Nursing school |
| Hancel | West Virginia State College |
| Horace | West Virginia State College |
Source: Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race. William Morrow, 2016.
Katherine Johnson’s Contributions to NASA
Katherine Johnson was an African-American mathematician and physicist who became widely known for her contributions to NASA during the Space Race. Her work was instrumental in the success of many landmark space missions, and her legacy has been an inspiration to generations of aspiring scientists and mathematicians. Here are some of Katherine Johnson’s most notable contributions to NASA:
- Calculating Trajectories for the First American in Space: Katherine Johnson’s first big assignment at NASA was calculating the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s historic Mercury mission in 1961. Shepard became the first American to enter space, and Johnson’s calculations were crucial to that achievement.
- Ensuring the Success of the Apollo 11 Mission: In 1969, Katherine Johnson again played a critical role in a historic mission. She calculated the trajectory for the Apollo 11 mission that saw Neil Armstrong become the first person to walk on the moon. Johnson’s calculations were precise enough to account for the gravitational pull of the moon and other celestial bodies.
- Developing the Lunar Lander: Johnson’s calculations were also essential in enabling the Lunar Lander to touch down on the moon’s surface during the Apollo 11 mission. Her work provided the crucial data that allowed engineers to design a lander capable of making a soft landing on the lunar surface.
However, Johnson’s contributions went far beyond these three high-profile missions. She also played a central role in experiments that tested the behavior of spacecraft re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, helped develop the navigation system for the Space Shuttle, and was instrumental in the creation of the International Space Station.
Johnson’s talents were so great that even after her retirement from NASA in 1986, she continued to consult for the organization, using her expertise to help astronauts and engineers overcome difficult mathematical challenges. Johnson’s contributions to NASA were vital in securing America’s dominance in space exploration, and her example has proved an inspiration to young people everywhere to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Katherine Johnson’s Daughters
Katherine Johnson had three daughters with her husband, James Goble. The couple married in 1959 and remained together until Goble’s death in 2018. Johnson had a close relationship with her daughters, and they played an important role in her life. In her autobiography “Reaching for the Moon,” she writes about the joy of watching her daughters grow up and how proud she was of all their accomplishments.
Joylette Hylick, Katherine’s eldest daughter, was born in 1955. She followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a professional educator. Patricia G. Johnson, the second daughter, was born in 1957, and she pursued a career as a lawyer. Finally, Katherine’s youngest daughter, Constance Goble Garcia, was born in 1960. She works in public relations and communications and is the founder of the Happy Home Foundation, which helps low-income families obtain affordable housing.
Katherine Johnson’s daughters have spoken publicly about their admiration for their mother’s pioneering work at NASA and about the challenges their mother faced as a woman and an African-American in a field dominated by white men. They have expressed their pride in their mother’s legacy and her role as an inspiration for young women and people of color in the STEM fields.
| Daughter | Profession |
|---|---|
| Joylette Hylick | Professional Educator |
| Patricia G. Johnson | Lawyer |
| Constance Goble Garcia | Founder of the Happy Home Foundation |
The legacy of both Katherine Johnson and her daughters is a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and the pursuit of knowledge. Their successes have been an inspiration to countless people, and their contributions to the fields of mathematics, science, and education have made the world a better place.
Katherine Johnson’s Legacy
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who was renowned for her work at NASA. She was one of the key figures who played a pivotal role in the success of the U.S. space program, particularly the first manned mission to the moon. Despite the many obstacles she faced as an African-American woman during the era of segregation, Johnson used her considerable skill and determination to break down barriers and pave the way for future generations.
Who are Katherine Johnson’s Daughters?
- Joylette Hylick
- Kathi Williams
- Constance Garcia
Johnson was married to James Goble, who passed away in 1956. She had three daughters with him: Joylette, Kathi, and Constance. Joylette was born in 1955 and is Johnson’s oldest daughter. She is a retired teacher who worked with special needs students in Hampton, Virginia. Kathi was born in 1957 and is Johnson’s middle daughter. She is an engineer who worked for IBM and later served as the ADP workforce director at Northrop Grumman. Constance was born in 1960 and is Johnson’s youngest daughter. She is an educator who has worked for the public school system in Hampton, Virginia.
Katherine Johnson’s Influence
Johnson’s legacy is important not only because of her significant contributions to the space program, but also because of the obstacles she overcame in order to achieve those accomplishments. Her work helped to break down stereotypes and showed the world that anyone, regardless of gender or race, can achieve great things if they are willing to work hard and persevere. Johnson’s work has inspired countless individuals, especially young girls and women, to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Johnson passed away on February 24, 2020, at the age of 101. Her legacy, however, continues to live on through the numerous awards, scholarships, and programs that have been established in her honor. In 2015, Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. She also received numerous other awards and honors throughout her career, including an honorary doctorate from Old Dominion University and induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Katherine Johnson’s Awards and Honors
| Award/Honor | Year |
|---|---|
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | 2015 |
| Langley Research Center’s highest honor, the Computational Research Facility | 2018 |
| Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame | 2019 |
| Named “Hidden Figure” by NASA | 2020 |
Katherine Johnson’s daughters continue to be proud of their mother’s contributions to science and society. They often speak about their mother’s work, and the importance of her legacy for future generations. Johnson’s life is an inspiration, not only because of the incredible work she accomplished, but also because of her courage, perseverance, and dedication to breaking down barriers.
Katherine Johnson’s Awards and Recognitions
Katherine Johnson, also known as “the human computer,” was an American mathematician whose calculations were critical to the early success of NASA’s space missions. Her work was vital to America’s space program, including the historic Apollo 11 mission that put man on the moon. Johnson received several awards and recognitions for her exceptional work, including:
- Presidential Medal of Freedom: In 2015, President Barack Obama presented Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the security or national interests of the country or to world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.
- West Virginia Women’s Hall of Fame: Johnson was inducted into the West Virginia Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993. This honor recognizes West Virginia women who have made notable contributions to their professions or communities.
- NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement Award: In 1971, Johnson received this award for her work in determining the reentry trajectories for the Apollo 13 mission. Her calculations helped bring the three astronauts aboard the spacecraft safely back to Earth after a catastrophic explosion.
Johnson’s contributions to the space program were not widely publicized until the release of the movie “Hidden Figures” in 2016, which brought her story to the forefront of American history. In addition to the awards above, Johnson has also received numerous other honors for her remarkable achievements, including honorary doctorate degrees from several universities.
Below is a table of some of Katherine Johnson’s most notable awards and recognitions:
| Award/Recognition | Year |
|---|---|
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | 2015 |
| West Virginia Women’s Hall of Fame | 1993 |
| NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement Award | 1971 |
Katherine Johnson’s numerous awards and recognitions are a testament to her contributions to science and American history. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of mathematicians and scientists for years to come.
Katherine Johnson’s Impact on Women and Minorities in Stem Fields
Katherine Johnson’s contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been immense. But beyond the achievements that made her a figure in space exploration history, Johnson was also a champion for women and minorities in STEM fields. The impact of her work and advocacy can be seen in a multitude of ways, some of which are:
- The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at NASA’s Langley Research Center. The center, named in her honor, is dedicated to cutting-edge research and development in computational science and data analysis. It serves as a tribute to her pioneering work and a source of inspiration for future generations of scientists and engineers, especially women and minorities.
- Continued advocacy for STEM education and diversity initiatives. Katherine Johnson’s legacy has inspired many organizations and movements that work towards promoting gender and racial diversity in STEM fields. These include the Hidden Figures Foundation, Girls Who Code, Black Girls CODE, and many more.
- Pathbreaking achievements that broke down barriers. Katherine Johnson’s work on the early space missions made her one of the first African-American women to work as a scientist at NASA. Her accomplishments gave a boost to women and minorities who had long faced exclusion and discrimination in STEM fields. They helped shatter myths and stereotypes that held back underrepresented groups and opened the doors for future generations.
Through her work and advocacy, Katherine Johnson became a trailblazer for women and minorities in STEM fields, showing that even in the face of adversity and discrimination, opportunities for excellence and achievement were within reach. She continues to inspire generations of young scientists and engineers who strive to make their own impact on the world of STEM.
Katherine Johnson’s Daughters
Katherine Johnson was survived by her three daughters, Joylette Hylick, Katherine Moore, and Constance Garcia. All three daughters have spoken eloquently about their mother’s life and achievements and have expressed pride at the impact she had on the world.
Joylette Hylick, the eldest of the three, was born in 1948. She followed in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher and education advocate, working for many years in the Hampton City School District in Virginia. She also co-wrote the book “Walking on the Moon: The Untold Story of the Pioneers Who Made the Lunar Landing Possible,” which tells the story of the team of scientists and engineers who worked on the Apollo program.
Katherine Moore is a retired federal government worker who lives in Texas. She has expressed pride at her mother’s perseverance and achievements, despite the obstacles she faced as a black woman in the 1960s and 1970s. She has also spoken about her mother’s resilience and dedication to her family, which remained her top priority despite her groundbreaking work.
Constance Garcia, the youngest of the three, also lives in Texas and has worked in education. She has spoken about the impact her mother had on her life and the lives of those around her, and she has encouraged young people to pursue their dreams in STEM fields, citing her mother’s accomplishments as inspiration.
| Daughter | Profession | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Joylette Hylick | Teacher and education advocate | Virginia |
| Katherine Moore | Retired federal government worker | Texas |
| Constance Garcia | Educator | Texas |
Katherine Johnson’s daughters have carried on their mother’s legacy of achievement and advocacy, continuing to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. They are a testament to the impact that one person can have on the world and the power of determination and hope.
Who Are Katherine Johnson’s Daughters?
Q: Who is Katherine Johnson?
A: Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who worked for NASA’s Langley Research Center. Her calculations were essential to the success of the Mercury and Apollo space missions.
Q: Does Katherine Johnson have any daughters?
A: Yes, Katherine Johnson had three daughters: Katherine Moore, Joylette Hylick, and Constance Garcia.
Q: What do we know about Johnson’s daughters?
A: Katherine Moore, the eldest daughter, passed away in 2019. Joylette Hylick and Constance Garcia are both retired educators.
Q: Did any of Johnson’s daughters follow in her footsteps and pursue careers in math or science?
A: No, Johnson’s daughters did not pursue careers in math or science.
Q: Are Johnson’s daughters involved in any organizations or causes in honor of their mother’s legacy?
A: Katherine Moore helped establish the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility in 2017. Joylette Hylick and Constance Garcia have spoken about their mother’s achievements in interviews and public appearances.
Q: Have Johnson’s daughters commented on their mother’s legacy being portrayed in the movie “Hidden Figures”?
A: Yes, Johnson’s daughters have spoken positively about the movie and the attention it brought to their mother’s contributions to NASA and the space race.
Q: Where can I learn more about Katherine Johnson and her daughters?
A: There are several books and articles about Katherine Johnson’s life and career, as well as interviews and speeches by her daughters that can be found online.
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