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Katherine Johnson has died.

87 replies

Al1Langdownthecleghole · 24/02/2020 20:11

www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/katherine-johnson-nasa-mathematician-depicted-hidden-figures-dead-101-n1141566

A NASA Mathematician who literally helped put men on the moon has died age 101.

She said her greatest contribution to space exploration was making "the calculations that helped sync Project Apollo’s Lunar Lander with the moon-orbiting Command and Service Module." In other words, helping to put men on the moon in 1969.

What a Shero. I’ve not seen the film Hidden Figures discussed in the article, so I’m gong to put that right. So many incredible woman who contributed to the space programmes.

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NandorTheRelentless · 21/12/2021 12:07

@BananaChocolateLump

A shero? Really? You're so far gone you have an issue with the word hero? Grow up.
I'm not keen on Shero, especially as the word also includes HER-o
ArabellaScott · 21/12/2021 12:06

Oh! I see I am unfashionably late to the news. Nevermind, still a good role model to show to DD. Smile

ArabellaScott · 21/12/2021 12:05

RIP, Katherine Johnson. Thanks for posting, OP.

An inspiration. I will show DD this woman and tell her about her life.

AlfonsoTheUnrepentant · 21/12/2021 11:36

RIP, Dr Johnson. You were truly inspirational.

Wnikat · 21/12/2021 11:34

Total Shero. And it’s a great film. Shame she didn’t get to see the launch of the JWST on Friday but what an amazing life she led.

hereswhatIthink · 21/12/2021 11:27

@BananaChocolateLump

A shero? Really? You're so far gone you have an issue with the word hero? Grow up.
It was 'heroine' when I grew up and far preferable, like actress etc.
notimagain · 21/12/2021 10:29

Sad news…FWIW a few more pioneers who Hollywood have yet to discover

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton_(software_engineer)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Northcutt

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_H._Morgan

JoAnn Morgan is particularly interesting, during most of Apollo she was the only woman in the firing room at the Cape and she can tell some tales about working in a male dominated environment….and (this will raise eyebrows) the main advocates for her being there be virtue of her competence were some of the German engineers, some of whom were ex-Nazis…

ScreamingMeMe · 21/12/2021 10:28

@MillicentMargaretAmanda

I also highly recommend the book Hidden Figures, the basis for the film. Amazing women, but especially Katherine Johnson. RIP.
Brilliant, will add to my reading list.

What a wonderful, inspirational woman. And what an age to live to as well!.

SusannaQueen · 21/12/2021 10:24

Regardless of the thread date, it's well worth mentioning again what an amazing woman she was.

@MrsTerryPratchett
Such a shame that the campaign to renew Timeless didn't succeed, it was such a good series.

Artichokeleaves · 21/12/2021 10:11

And... just saw the date. Blush I still think she was fabulous.

Artichokeleaves · 21/12/2021 10:10

Absolutely remarkable woman, she and the other women in that group. Outstanding minds and careers despite all the disadvantages they were faced with, from achieving their education to being tolerated in the workplace. So much commitment, so much dignity. 'Hidden Figures' is a marvelous film celebrating them.

aliraza · 21/12/2021 09:49

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Cuntysnark · 27/02/2020 21:59

I’m humbled by Katherine. And thank her.

Asimovsfutureishere2020 · 27/02/2020 20:26

@ErrolTheDragon

I didn't mean to suggest it is easy - it's just that it is branded as the thing the super brainy men do (as opposed to super brainy women like you Grin )

ErrolTheDragon · 26/02/2020 23:25

the other thing that not enough women realise is how easy computing could be - it's intuitive to us.

I write scientific software - been doing it over 30 years, very little formal training in programming. I'm not sure what the sex ratios are but there are a good number of women in my field, including some of the 'big names'.

Asimovsfutureishere2020 · 26/02/2020 21:41

@bluebluezoo the other thing that not enough women realise is how easy computing could be - it's intuitive to us.

bluebluezoo · 26/02/2020 21:31

There is still a long way to go - the sex ratio for undergrad physics hasn't really moved in the past 20 years - it's still about 1:8

In the early days of computing it was a “womans job”- it was thought of in the same way as secretarial work and typing. Which is why many of the very early computing trailblazers were women.

Then the potential was realised and valued and suddenly it became a mans job. Maths and science, obvs.

Just one example of how gender stereotyping affects women. Computing doesn’t naturally come easier to men because blue brain, but because society tells us they are.

Asimovsfutureishere2020 · 26/02/2020 21:28

You know what I think has been the saddest thing about women in the last 15 years? We celebrated adult girls not grown women. Growing up, I used to read about women like KJ (and I am not black or American) and their personal power and authority transcended their immediate reality so much they made it possible to feel as though you had one foot inside something great. Once you can sense that one step you will move heaven and earth to get the rest.

I hope she smiles at the legacy she has left.

Asimovsfutureishere2020 · 26/02/2020 21:23

Spot on.

Lordfrontpaw · 26/02/2020 21:23

Legend - there’s a word no one can argue with.

SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman · 26/02/2020 21:15

Oh! That brought a tear to the eye...

Asimovsfutureishere2020 · 26/02/2020 21:05

From reddit

Katherine Johnson has died.
Dyrne · 26/02/2020 13:24

Surely it’s this sort of ridiculous word policing that stops people from feeling comfortable speaking up more?

Someone has posted something lovely admiring a woman who has achieved a lot in a time where everything was stacked against her.

Despite the lovely praise, some posters have piled on attacking and picking apart the use of literally one word.

How many other lurkers are going to be sat here going “well unless I express myself 100% perfectly I’m going to get a bollocking from the purity police, so I best not risk it?”

boatyardblues · 25/02/2020 23:35

God, I can’t believe you are still bickering about the word ‘shero’ on this thread. Way to miss the point. 🙄 How about we focus on Katherine Johnson’s considerable achievements instead?

DidoLamenting · 25/02/2020 23:25

Shero puts the female right at the front

Each to their own. I think it's a silly word and disrespectful to her.