Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas was one of those who spoke Wednesday at a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony to honor a group of women known as the Hidden Figures—those who were crucial to assisting the Space Agency in the space race.
The women helped calculate the Apollo 11 mission to land the first astronaut on the moon. Medals were presented to the families of Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. A fifth medal was presented to commemorate all Hidden Figures who contributed to NASA’s success between 1930-1970.
As chairman of the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Rep. Lucas was a speaker.
“I was proud to join Eddie Bernice Johnson, the previous Chairwoman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, in cosponsoring the bill that awarded these medals. Eddie Bernice knew a thing or two about being a trailblazer herself, having become the first woman and first African American to chair the Science Committee,” he remarked.
The bill was H.R.1396, the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act, which was introduced by former House Science Committee Chairwoman Johnson and Chairman Lucas and signed into law in 2019. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the U.S. It is awarded to those who have performed an achievement that has impacted American history and culture and is likely to be recognized in the recipient’s field for years to come.
“For years, female computers, mathematicians, and engineers helped drive NASA’s unprecedented achievements during the space race despite facing gender barriers. They were paid less, received fewer opportunities for advancement, and were not recognized for their contributions, often having to submit their work anonymously,” continued Rep. Lucas.
“Women of color like Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson faced even more disadvantages from segregation and racism. And yet they persisted in their work, helping to send John Glenn into orbit, to land the first humans on the Moon, and to launch enduring scientific missions like the Voyager probes. Their achievements are all the more impressive given the challenges they faced.”
Lucas said undoubtedly, the women who worked in the shadows of NASA will continue to inspire Americans for years to come.
“When the first woman lands on the Moon in the Artemis program, she will follow a trail blazed by the women we honor today. I’m proud to have played a small role in giving them the recognition they deserve. ”
You can watch his speech by clicking here.
