June 25, 2020: The current protest on the racism, police brutality, George Floyd’s death, has changed many in the United States. The movement of fighting for equality is one of the changes the country is going to see in the coming days. As many corporate companies have changed the policy and many individuals changed their perspective has to lead to a change in the Space organization as well.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced on Wednesday, the HQ building in Washington will be named after Mary W Jackson- the first black female engineer.

Mary was one of the few who inspired the film Hidden Figures. She was a mathematician and aerospace engineer. Mary had a take in the success of NASA and getting American astronauts into space. Mary also supported hiring and influencing more women into engineering, mathematics, technological career.

Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space. Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology”-said Bridenstine.

The work of Mary was noticed, when the book “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race” written by Margot Lee Shetterly was launched in 2016. The book inspired the movie Hidden Figure in the same year.

“We are honored that NASA continues to celebrate the legacy of our mother and grandmother, Mary W. Jackson,” said, Carolyn Lewis, Mary’s daughter. “She was a scientist, humanitarian, wife, mother, and trailblazer who paved the way for thousands of others to succeed, not only at NASA but throughout this nation.”

We hope for a better tomorrow and, the step taken by NASA will be a benchmark for many more in the United States.