Mary Jackson
Awards & Honours
3
Awards Won
3
Honours
2
Rankings
2
Records
Mary Jackson's career is defined by historic firsts and enduring recognition. She broke the color barrier to become the first African American female engineer at NASA, a milestone that reshaped the agency's workforce. Her induction into the Virginia Women in History Hall of Fame and the posthumous awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal highlight her status as a national icon of resilience. The renaming of the NASA headquarters in her honor stands as a testament to her lasting impact on American science and engineering.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters
The main NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. was renamed in her honor, the first time a NASA facility was named after a woman.
Virginia Women in History Hall of Fame
Inducted for her significant contributions to history and society.
NASA Equal Opportunity Medal
Awarded for outstanding contributions to equal opportunity programs at NASA.
Rankings & Lists
100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century
100 Women
Records & Feats
First African American Female Engineer at NASA
Became the first black female engineer at NASA in 1958 after petitioning to attend segregated night classes.
NASA Headquarters Renamed After Woman
The first NASA facility to be named after a woman, the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters.