(Washington, DC – June 25, 2025) – The extraordinary life and legacy of NASA icon Katherine Johnson continues to rise to new heights. Now honored among the world’s most groundbreaking aviation heroes, Johnson is featured in the newly released “250 Years of Flight: A Breathtaking Journey from Dirigibles to Space Travel,” a special edition publication from McClatchy Lifestyle Specials. With the feature headlined “Katherine Johnson: The Woman Who Charted the Path to the Stars,” the magazine cements her rightful place beside global luminaries like Leonardo da Vinci, the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, the Tuskegee Airmen, and John Glenn in the pantheon of aviation and aerospace pioneers.

Born on August 26, 1918, and living a remarkable life until her passing on February 24, 2020, Katherine Johnson’s name is now forever etched into the timeline of aviation and space exploration. Once a “hidden figure” among a group of African American women known as human computers at NACA (now NASA), Johnson’s story is no longer confined to the shadows of history.

The Mind Behind America’s Leap Into Space

Johnson’s brilliance in mathematics played an indispensable role in some of NASA’s most historic missions. From calculating the trajectory for Alan Shepard's 1961 Freedom 7 mission to ensuring the orbital accuracy of John Glenn’s flight in 1962, Johnson’s work was nothing short of revolutionary. Her calculations made the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing possible and were crucial throughout the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle era, and Earth satellite missions.

Today, her algorithms continue to influence space science, symbolizing a legacy that spans galaxies. Her contributions weren’t just numbers—they were the foundation that carried astronauts into the heavens and brought them home safely.

A Legacy Resurrected and Celebrated

Katherine Johnson's name gained national recognition when President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, calling attention to her unmatched contributions to American innovation. Her life story reached even more audiences through Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures—a best-selling 2016 book turned into a critically acclaimed 2017 film, sparking a global conversation about the vital role of Black women in STEM.

Taking this momentum even further, The Last Episode: Veterans For Social Justice (VFSJ) has worked tirelessly to ensure her story continues to inspire generations. In 2019, the group released a musical tribute titled “Has Anybody Seen Katherine Johnson?”—a Broadway-style homage to Johnson and her fellow Human Computer Women, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden.

A Hall of Fame Year

In a banner year for posthumous recognition, 2024 saw Katherine Johnson inducted into three of the world’s most prestigious aerospace institutions:

Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame – March 23, Orlando, FL

National Aviation Hall of Fame – September 14, Dayton, OH

International Air & Space Hall of Fame – November 9, San Diego, CA

Also in 2024, Johnson was honored with the esteemed Humanitarian of All Mankind (HOAM) Award by ASEP on August 22, recognizing her influence on aviation safety, STEM education, and the expansion of human potential through space exploration.

And on September 18, 2024, history was rightfully corrected when Congress presented the families of Johnson, Vaughan, Jackson, and Darden with the Congressional Gold Medal, saluting their unparalleled contributions to NASA and the world.

Preserving a Pioneering Spirit

Thanks to the West Virginia University Libraries and the West Virginia and Regional History Center, Johnson’s groundbreaking journey is now publicly accessible. In September 2023, the university unveiled the Katherine Goble Johnson Papers, an archival collection of photographs, awards, correspondence, and memorabilia as part of the Distinguished West Virginians Program. This treasure trove allows scholars, students, and future changemakers to study the life of a woman who changed the course of history with a pencil, paper, and pure genius.

Inspiration That Endures

Katherine Johnson’s journey from West Virginia to the stars reflects the very soul of American ingenuity and perseverance. A once-hidden hero, now celebrated across the globe, her story continues to inspire young minds—especially girls and students of color—to dream boldly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As the world marks over two centuries of flight, Johnson’s legacy reminds us that while wings may take us into the sky, it’s vision, intellect, and courage that take us beyond it.

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