Extraordinary Black Women Space PioneersExtraordinary Black Women Space Pioneers

In the pioneer days of space exploration, African American women took on the role of 'Human Computer.' These 'Human Computers' measured the complicated equations by hand, designing complex mathematical and integrated calculations that enabled America to champion the success of USA's Space Program introduced by President John F. Kennedy. The African American women 'Computers' provided a critical role in advancing NASA and its mandate. Margot Lee Shetterly, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan were especially prominent during this period in history and with their tenacity and wisdom helped one of the first American astronauts, John Glenn, orbit Earth in 1962 and ensured the safe return of the spacecraft and its astronaut. This episode includes their stories along with many other African-American women dedicated to space exploration as military pilots, engineers, scientists, and physicians.