Dorothy Vaughan

Dorothy Vaughan was an American mathematician and computer programmer who made important contributions to the early years of the U.S. space program and was the first African American manager at NASA.

Mathematician

September 20, 1910

Virgo

November 10, 2008

98

Missouri

Dorothy Vaughan, born Dorothy Johnson on September 20, 1910, in Kansas City, Missouri, was a trailblazing American mathematician and computer programmer. She made substantial contributions to the early U.S. space program and broke barriers as the first African American manager at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later evolved into NASA. Vaughan was best known for her role as the acting supervisor of the West Area Computers, leading a team of African American women who manually performed intricate mathematical calculations for the space program.

Besides her pioneering work at NASA, Vaughan was an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She chaired a local committee in Virginia, advocating for equal pay and career opportunities for African American teachers. Vaughan’s dedication to civil rights and equality was evident in her involvement with the NAACP.

Dorothy Vaughan’s other notable accomplishments include her published work, “Mathematical Methods for Engineers,” and her participation in the NASA space race during the Cold War. She was involved in the SCOUT Launch Vehicle Program, which sent America’s first satellites into space. Vaughan’s contributions to the U.S. space program helped lay the foundation for future advancements in space exploration.

In summary, Dorothy Vaughan’s legacy as a pioneering mathematician, computer programmer, and civil rights advocate continues to inspire and influence the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) today. As the first African American woman to hold a supervisory position at NASA, she played a vital role in the early U.S. space program.