A biography for Katherine Johnsonhasn’t been written yet.
“Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men.”
“I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to church, the number of dishes and silverware I washed... anything that could be counted, I did.”
“I felt most proud on the success of the Apollo mission.”
“Many professors tell you that you'd be good at this or that, but they don't always help you with that career path.”
“Everything is physics and math.”
“I found what I was looking for at Langley. This was what a research mathematician did. I went to work every day for 33 years happy. Never did I get up and say I don't want to go to work.”
“I like to learn. That's an art and a science.”
“Men don't pay attention to small things.”
“I don't have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I'm as good as anybody, but no better.”
“Let me do it. You tell me when you want it and where you want it to land, and I'll do it backwards and tell you when to take off.”
“I see a picture right now that's not parallel, so I'm going to go straighten it. Things must be in order.”
“Take all the courses in your curriculum. Do the research. Ask questions. Find someone doing what you are interested in! Be curious!”
“I had a very, very interesting childhood, but, oh my, education was the primary focus in our family.”
“I'm always interested in learning something new.”
“In math, you're either right or you're wrong.”
“Like what you do, and then you will do your best.”
“I was just excited to have challenging work to do and smart people to work with.”
“I liked working with smart people.”
“John Glenn's life will long be remembered for his time in space, his courage, and his service to all Americans.”
“Our teachers made such a difference - all my teachers and professors were very supportive and nurturing.”