Having the opportunity to become one of the most important scientist in NASA history was already one of her accomplishments, but it started not when she was young, but at West Virginia University, she did more than graduate at the age of 18, and was the valedictorian of her class. Since she was the only African-American student, she destroyed the color barrier, which allowed other blacks to attend, much to others' dismay.Soon after, she married James Francis Goble, who later died in 1956. Before going to NASA, she worked at Langley Research Center, where she met future friends Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughn. Together, they worked on calculating numbers together, until one day, NASA's space program started looking for female computers, in which Katherine was recommended, and assigned. In the space program, Katherine helped calculate the calculations for the shuttle designs, and much more. She helped in the launch of John Glenn, and safely returning him home. She worked with the Apollo 8 missions, and often assisted with side projects with NASA. At the time, NASA was still new to AA female computers, so some discrimination was still fresh. "I remember a time when I rode the bus to work, and it broke down. The white folks got to go on a new bus, awhile the black folks had to pay for a taxi or walk. Segregation at that time was still new, and brewing and I hated it. " Katherine told an interviwer.  

 

She retired from NASA in 1988, and lived her life with her new husband, Colonel James A.Johnson, and her three children, Constance, Joylette, and Katherine. Currently now, the current children living is Joylette and Katherine. Katherine and her husband James are still currently living, their lives paved out from their past.

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In 2016, Katherine was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by 2016 president Barack Obama, and received a kiss on the cheek from the honored president. Katherine is currently 98, and while she cannot walk, she is still hip and living. 

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Katherine inspired lots of women, men and children, and she mostly inspired me. Her journey to where she is today is truly an accomplsihment in the human community. Thanks for everything, Katherine. 

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