Mary Jackson

Early Life

Mary Jackson was born on April 9, 1921. She was born and raised in Hampton VA.

Family Life

Mary Jackson had ten siblings: Emily, Cora, Melvin, Hattie, Frank Jr, Albert, Samuel, Robert, Ella L and Pearl. Her parents' names are Ella Scott and Frank Winston. Mary Jackson got married on November 18, 1944 to Levi Jackson Sr. They had two children named Levi Jackson Jr. and Carolyn Marie Lewis.

Education & Career

Mary Jackson went to Hampton University and the University of Virginia. In 1958, she began working as an engineer for NASA. She led the affirmative action program and the women's program at Langley.

Impact on the field

Mary Jackson overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become NASA's first black engineer in 1958 and equal opportunities for future generations. She helped and inspired many kids and adults. She fought for our rights as well as made history. She sure created a big impact!

1. She died because of Parkinson's  disease.

2. She was preceded in death by her husband.

3. Mary's husband was worried about her becoming an engineer because he thought that she wouldn't make it.

Three words that we can use to describe Mary Jackson are

1. Heroic: Mary Jackson broke the border of black and white woman and became NASA'S first black woman engineer,

2. Patient: Mary Jackson waited for years until she finally became accepted into NASA.

3. Ardent: Mary worked very hard and always found the path to success and loved learning.