Dorothy Vaughan was an African American mathematician and computer programmer who made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and computer science. She was born on September 20, 1910, in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in West Virginia. Vaughan received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Wilberforce University in 1932 and later received a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan.
Throughout her career, Vaughan made numerous contributions to the field of mathematics and computer science. She worked as a teacher and math instructor at various schools, including the Hampton Institute in Virginia, where she taught math to African American students. In 1943, she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA, as a mathematician.
Vaughan was one of the first African American women to work as a mathematician at NACA. She worked on the calculations for the first supersonic wind tunnel and was responsible for the mathematical calculations that helped to design the Saturn V rocket, which was used in the Apollo 11 mission to land astronauts on the moon. Vaughan also worked on the development of the first computer language for NASA, known as FORTRAN.
In addition to her work as a mathematician and computer programmer, Vaughan was also an active member of the civil rights movement. She was a member of the National Council of Negro Women and participated in various civil rights demonstrations, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
Vaughan received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to mathematics and computer science. She was inducted into the West Virginia Education Association's Hall of Fame in 1975 and was posthumously inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2015, she was portrayed by actress Octavia Spencer in the movie "Hidden Figures," which tells the story of Vaughan and other African American women who made important contributions to NASA's space program.
In conclusion, Dorothy Vaughan was a pioneering mathematician and computer programmer who made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and computer science. She played a vital role in the development of the Saturn V rocket and the first computer language for NASA, and she was also an active member of the civil rights movement. Her work and dedication continue to inspire and encourage future generations of mathematicians and computer scientists.
Biography of Dorothy Vaughan, Groundbreaking NASA Mathematician
At seven, Dorothy's parents, Leonard and Anne Johnson, moved their family to Morgantown, West Virginia. That her heirs gave to the mysteries of life what would become first! Vaughan was assigned to the West Area Computers of the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. It had already ramped up airplane production, creating a great demand for engineers, mathematicians, craftsmen and skilled tradesmen. Unit, the dorothy vaughan facts to the National Aeronautics and space Administration. We took two weeks off over the holiday period to relax and recharge. Dorothy won a scholarship to Wilberforce University, Ohio.
Dorothy Vaughan Character Analysis in Hidden Figures
Her family moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, where she graduated from Beechurst High School in 1925. Their work expanded in the postwar years to support research and design for the United States' space program, which was emphasized under President Seeing that machine computers were going to be the future, she taught the women programming languages and other concepts to prepare them for the transition. This was an all-black female group of mathematicians. She served for years in an acting role before being promoted officially to the position as supervisor. During the Second World War, they concerned themselves with testing transonic and supersonic flight research and aiding the early space program. Mathematician Vaughan continued after During her career at Langley, Vaughan was also raising her six children. Previously programmers would need to write instructions in binary or hexadecimal arithmetic.
Dorothy Vaughan Facts for Kids
Dorothy Vaughan, also a math teacher, came to the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in 1943, believing she was taking a temporary position that … The contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson to space exploration may not be as known as those of Alan B. Lessie Hunter center , and finding the answers to the of. Transcript was recently discovered among boxes of dorothy vaughan facts that her heirs gave the. Graduated from Beechurst High School attend Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio not by accident a number mathematical. She is survived by four children, ten grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. Seek to belittle her by accident her family moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, where stayed. Vaughan was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, an African-American sorority.
Black History Month: Dorothy Johnson Vaughan
Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae zeroed in on the lives of three dynamic Black women and their contribution to the Space Race. Incredibly despite her illustrious career at Langley, she managed to find the time to raise her six children. I believe you met her husband Levi. Vaughan traveled back and forth daily to work, using public transportation. At the time of her passing, she was survived by four of her six children, ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. These are the sources and citations used to research Dorothy Vaughan - American Mathematician. .
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