In the summer of 2020, NASA paid tribute to a trailblazer whose contributions to science and society continue to resonate. Its headquarters in Washington, D.C., was renamed the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters Building, celebrating the first Black female engineer at NASA—a woman whose name is synonymous with resilience, innovation, and transformation.
For Jackson’s family, this recognition was profoundly meaningful. “We are honored that NASA continues to celebrate the legacy of our mother and grandmother, Mary W. Jackson,” said Carolyn Lewis, Jackson's daughter. “She was a scientist, humanitarian, wife, mother, and trailblazer who paved the way for thousands of others to succeed—not only at NASA, but throughout this nation.”
A Journey from Humble Beginnings to NASA’s Hall of Fame
Mary Winston Jackson was born in Hampton, Virginia, and her roots ran deep in the soil of the South. After graduating from Hampton Institute in 1942 with degrees in mathematics and physical sciences, Jackson began shaping her future in unexpected ways. Her early career as a teacher in Maryland, followed by work as a bookkeeper and a U.S. Army secretary, reflected her determination to seize opportunities wherever they emerged. It wasn’t until 1951, when Jackson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)—the predecessor to NASA—that she began her groundbreaking work in aerospace.
A Human Computer and an Engine of Change
At NACA’s Langley Research Center, Jackson became part of the segregated West Area Computing Unit, working under Dorothy Vaughan, another pioneering figure whose contributions to the space race were critical. In this role, Jackson’s talent for mathematics soon set her apart, and she was invited to join the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel team—a facility capable of simulating winds at twice the speed of sound.
Here, Jackson’s work took flight. Conducting experiments and analyzing data, she gained insights that would eventually lead her to transition from mathematician to engineer. But the path was not without its challenges. In an era of segregation, Jackson needed special permission to attend engineering classes held at Hampton High School, a white-only institution. Unbowed, she completed the coursework and became NASA’s first Black female engineer.
Building Bridges for the Next Generation
Jackson’s career at Langley spanned nearly two decades, during which she co-authored numerous research reports that advanced the understanding of aerodynamics, particularly the behavior of boundary layers on aircraft. Yet her legacy is not confined to the equations she solved or the data she analyzed. In 1979, she shifted her focus to the Federal Women’s Program, dedicating her efforts to ensuring that NASA’s future was as diverse as the stars it aimed to reach. She championed the hiring and promotion of women in STEM, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.
“Hidden Figures” and a Rediscovered Legacy
Mary Jackson’s story, along with those of her colleagues Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson, gained national attention with the publication of Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 book, Hidden Figures. The book and its subsequent film adaptation, in which Janelle Monáe portrayed Jackson, illuminated the critical roles these women played in America’s space race—a story of ingenuity triumphing over prejudice.
A Lasting Tribute
Mary Jackson retired from Langley in 1985, but her legacy endures. Her contributions to science, equality, and opportunity echo not only in the halls of NASA’s headquarters but also in the lives of countless individuals inspired by her journey. Naming NASA’s headquarters after Jackson is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a beacon, reminding us all of the power of courage, intellect, and the determination to forge paths where none existed before.