08/30/2022
"Hidden Figures" mathematician Katherine Johnson -- pictured here in front of NASA's Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility -- was born on this day in 1918. One of the earliest women to join NASA, Johnson's skills in celestial navigation were renowned. Among other mathematical feats, she calculated -- by hand -- the launch window and trajectory for the 1961 space flight of Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. For her contributions to the space programs and for blazing a trail for women and African Americans at NASA, Johnson was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian award, by President Obama. Katherine Johnson died in 2020 at the age of 101.
For two inspiring children's books about Katherine Johnson for ages 5 to 9, we highly recommend "A Computer Called Katherine" (https://www.amightygirl.com/a-computer-called-katherine) and "Counting on Katherine" (https://www.amightygirl.com/counting-on-katherine)
There is also a chapter book about Katherine Johnson for ages 6 to 8 at https://www.amightygirl.com/katherine-johnson
For older kids, we highly recommend Johnson's autobiography for ages 10 and up, "Reaching for the Moon," at https://www.amightygirl.com/reaching-for-the-moon
For adult readers interested in her story, we highly recommend Katherine Johnson's recent memoir "My Remarkable Journey" at https://www.amightygirl.com/my-remarkable-journey
The book on which "Hidden Figures" is based is available at http://amzn.to/2j3PS8k -- and in a young readers' edition for ages 8 to 12 at https://www.amightygirl.com/hidden-figures-young-readers
And, for two fun dolls for aspiring young astronauts and astronomers, we recommend the Astrophysicist Doll for ages 3 to 7 (https://www.amightygirl.com/astrophysicist-doll) and the Astronomer Lottie Doll for ages 3 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/stargazer-lottie-doll)