Alice Augusta Ball (1892-1916)
Alice Augusta Ball was a pioneering chemist who developed the first successful treatment for leprosy using chaulmoogra oil. Her groundbreaking method, known as the "Ball Method," provided hope and relief to many patients
Katherine Johnson (1918-2020)
Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights. Her work at NASA helped send astronauts to the Moon
Dorothy Vaughan (1910-2008)
Dorothy Vaughan was a mathematician and computer programmer who became NASA's first African American manager. She worked on the SCOUT Launch Vehicle Program and was an expert in FORTRAN programming
Mary Jackson (1921-2005)
Mary Jackson was an aerospace engineer and mathematician at NASA, where she worked to overcome barriers for women and African Americans in science and engineering. Her contributions helped improve aircraft performance and safety.
Christine Darden (born 1942)
Christine Darden is an aeronautical engineer and mathematician who worked at NASA for over 40 years. She made significant contributions to sonic boom minimization and became one of the world's leading experts in the field.
Louis R. Purnell, Jr. (1920-2001)
Louis R. Purnell, Jr. was an accomplished curator at the Smithsonian Institution and an expert in aviation history. He was also a skilled diver and underwater photographer, contributing to the preservation and understanding of historical artifacts.
Emmett Chappelle (1925-2019)
Emmett Chappelle was a biochemist and inventor known for his work in bioluminescence. His research led to the development of techniques for detecting life on other planets and for monitoring environmental health.
George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor who developed numerous products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops. His innovations helped improve agricultural practices and sustainability.
Gladys West (born 1930)
Gladys West is a mathematician known for her contributions to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Her work in satellite geodesy was crucial in making GPS technology accurate and reliable.