Katherine Johnson: Short Life-history Of A Hero
Katherine Johnson, a Black American, was not only fighting discrimination but also disrespect.
Johnson’s indefinable strength enabled her to beat the odds. In a world where racism and segregation was all too common at that time, Johnson showed heroism by overcoming these obstacles. Johnson had to overcome many obstacles, even though her skin was the only thing that separated her from other women. Johnson, for example, was initially employed in a building so presumptuously designed that it did not have a bathroom that she could use. Johnson was forced to walk more than a mile every day in order to use the restroom. She would often run in the rain while carrying her work. Johnson was not broken by the discrimination she faced or being put in such a difficult situation. She did not give up, but spoke out and changed the workplace. Her boss thought it was ridiculous that her work had been required to be so stupid. He desegregated all the bathrooms in the building where she worked. Johnson didn’t let injustice break her. Instead, she fought to get the change she needed. She was resilient in many situations when she had no choice but to ignore racism, and even more so after she won the change she wanted.
Katherine Johnson was also a hero because of the confidence she displayed when facing pressures to conform to gender stereotypes. Johnson’s goals and ambitions were higher than most men of the time. Johnson was not only as intelligent, but also more so than the many men she worked with. Yet, she was still viewed as inferior because she is a women at NASA. She was hesitant for men to accept her job because the women she worked with all had the same authority as receptionists and were also white. Johnson wanted to be involved directly in all decisions and changes made every day that affected the mathematician’s work. Johnson was often forced to start again because of outdated information. So she asked to be invited to the meetings to exchange all information. Her request, which was at first ridiculed as no woman has ever been permitted to attend meetings or even watch them, was made because it had never happened before. Johnson was confident enough to continue despite the restrictions placed on her by being a woman. Johnson, who was persistent in her requests and had knowledge that she could not waste, was eventually allowed to take part in the meeting. Johnson became a hero in her own time for overcoming the gender roles given to her. She remained confident, persistent and assertive despite being denied.
