Part 3/8:
Breaking Barriers at NACA/NASA
Johnson began her career at NACA in a segregated space designated for black women mathematicians, known as the “West Area Computing” group. This division was distinct from where white women worked, marking a clear line of racial segregation. Yet, Johnson soon distinguished herself with her remarkable analytical skills, moving beyond her initial role. One of her first significant contributions was analyzing data from a plane crash, which directly led to newly established flight safety regulations.