5 Black Women Who Changed STEM Forever
Black women have played a crucial role in shaping science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), despite often being overlooked. Here are five trailblazers whose contributions revolutionized their fields and paved the way for future generations.
1. Katherine Johnson (1918–2020)
Legacy: The mathematician who helped NASA land on the moon
Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to NASA’s space missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing. She overcame racial and gender barriers to become one of NASA’s most respected minds. Her story was featured in the movie Hidden Figures.
2. Dr. Mae Jemison (b. 1956)
Legacy: The first Black woman in space
Dr. Mae Jemison made history in 1992 as the first Black woman astronaut to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. A physician, engineer, and entrepreneur, she has worked to promote STEM education, particularly for young girls of color.
3. Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (b. 1946)
Legacy: The physicist behind technology we use every day
Dr. Jackson was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from MIT. Her research led to breakthroughs in telecommunications, including caller ID and fiber-optic cables. She later became the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, championing STEM education.
4. Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922–1999)
Legacy: Inventor of the first home security system
A nurse and innovator, Marie Van Brittan Brown co-invented the first home security system in 1966, featuring a closed-circuit camera, microphone, and remote-controlled door locks. Her invention laid the groundwork for modern security systems used in homes and businesses today.
5. Dr. Gladys West (b. 1930)
Legacy: The hidden figure behind GPS technology
Dr. Gladys West was a mathematician whose work in geodesy contributed to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Her calculations of satellite orbits helped create the technology we now rely on for navigation, mapping, and everyday smartphone apps.
• Dr. Patricia Bath (1942–2019) – The first Black woman to receive a medical patent for a laser cataract treatment.
• Valerie Thomas (b. 1943) – The scientist who invented the illusion transmitter, which contributed to 3D imaging technology.
These extraordinary women didn’t just break barriers—they built the future. Their work continues to shape science, technology, and innovation, inspiring Black women and girls to pursue STEM careers today.
