This annual observance, taking place during the month of March, highlights the amazing contributions of women to society. Per People.com, “We celebrate Women’s History Month to remind everyone of the achievements of women throughout the years in our culture and society, and why it’s important to study them and their important moments in history.”
Here are two extraordinary women who left their indelible marks upon us. For their significant contributions, we are forever grateful.
- Kalpana Chawla PhD (1962 -2003) This Indian-born American astronaut and aerospace engineer was the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space. She was born in Karnal, India, where she worked hard to overcome social barriers to become the first Indian-born female astronaut. There, she attended flying clubs and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Punjab Engineering College. She moved to the US in 1982 and graduated with a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. She continued her education, earning a second master’s degree and a PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder. She joined NASA’s Ames Research Center in 1988, and the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1995, where she was selected for her first flight. In 1997, she traveled as many as 252 times around the Earth. Dr. Chawla tested space shuttle control software and also worked on projects to include the development of the Robotic Situational Awareness Display, a tool that allows astronauts to operate robotic arms. Her second space mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, where she tragically perished along with the other crew members upon reentering the earth’s atmosphere. She has numerous honors and recognitions, including being posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
- Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) Creola Katherine Johnson is the genius behind the famous mathematical computations that calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. Her calculations also launched astronaut John Glenn into orbit in 1962, and Apollo 11 to the moon. Per NASA, Johnson played an important role in history “as one of the first African American women to work as a NASA scientist.” Throughout her 33-year career with NASA and its predecessor, “the human computer” (as she was referenced) not only made complex calculations regarding space trajectories at a time lacking in technology, but she also broke through racial and gender barriers of the day. Johnson would continue her legacy by working with digital computers to advance and promote new technology in the field. During her lifetime, Johnson earned many awards, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. NASA also named several facilities in her honor. In addition to having honorary Doctorates, she also holds the Congressional Gold Medal and was inducted in the 2021 National Women’s Hall of Fame. Having achieved many successes, the beloved mathematician lived to the remarkable age of 101.
Power to achieve & succeed
Women are continually breaking the glass ceiling, which is a metaphor referring to biases which prevent women and minorities from advancing their careers. With perseverance, women can aptly demonstrate their intelligence, strength, leadership abilities, creativity, and more, proving to the world that they have what it takes to continually contribute to society and achieve well-earned success.
Fun facts:
Per census.gov, National Women’s History Month traces its roots to March of 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions. Fast forward to 1981, when Congress established National Women’s History Week to be celebrated annually during the second week of March. However, in 1987, Congress expanded that week to an entire month. As we celebrate women who made and continue to make a difference, we must remember that women deserve more than a week or month of attention for their invaluable contributions to society. We must continually credit women for their amazing impact and for all they do every day, every hour, every minute, and every second to make the world a better place.
