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Dorothy Vaughan
1910–2008 · Mathematician & Computer Programmer
A mathematician and programmer who became NACA's first Black supervisor and helped colleagues transition from human computing to electronic computing at NASA.
“I changed what I could, and what I couldn't, I endured.”
Why is this scientist famous?
NACA's first Black supervisor and a pioneering FORTRAN programmer at NASA.
Dorothy Vaughan became the NACA's first Black supervisor in 1949 and later became an expert FORTRAN programmer at NASA. As electronic computers transformed research at Langley, she helped other women move from human computing into computer programming.
Dorothy's story
Early Life
Born in 1910 in Kansas City, Missouri, Vaughan graduated from high school at 15 and earned a mathematics degree from Wilberforce University at 19. She taught high school math during the Great Depression — one of the few careers open to Black women with math degrees.
West Area Computers
In 1943, Vaughan joined NACA (later the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA) at Langley Research Center as a "human computer" — one of the Black women who performed mathematical calculations by hand. In 1949, she was promoted to lead the West Area Computing unit, becoming the NACA's first Black supervisor. NASA later described her as its first African-American manager. She fought for equal pay and promotions for her team.
Embracing Electronic Computing
When NACA became NASA in 1958, the segregated West Area Computing unit was dissolved and Vaughan joined the new, integrated Analysis and Computation Division. She became an expert FORTRAN programmer in the Numerical Techniques Branch and helped other women make the transition from human computing to electronic computer programming. She also contributed to NASA's Scout Launch Vehicle Program.
Legacy
Vaughan worked at Langley for 28 years. She was a quiet pioneer whose contributions were largely unknown until the 2016 book and film Hidden Figures brought her story to millions. She died in 2008 at age 98, just before her story became famous. She paved the way for future generations of women and people of colour in computing and space science.
What did they discover?
NACA's First Black Supervisor
Became the NACA's first Black supervisor in 1949, leading the West Area Computing unit and advocating for the women who worked there.
Early FORTRAN Programming
Became an expert FORTRAN programmer and helped other women make the transition from human computing to electronic computer programming.
Amazing facts
The West Area Computing unit worked under segregation and was required to use separate dining and bathroom facilities from white employees.
She became an expert in FORTRAN and helped coworkers prepare for the transition to electronic computing.
She was played by Octavia Spencer in the 2016 film Hidden Figures.
She graduated from college at age 19 with a mathematics degree.
She worked at NACA and NASA for 28 years, from 1943 to 1971.
Her West Area Computing team included Katherine Johnson, who calculated trajectories for the first American space flights.
Timeline
Born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 20
Earned her mathematics degree from Wilberforce University at age 19
Joined NACA (later NASA) as a human computer at Langley Research Center
Became supervisor of the West Area Computing unit — NACA's first Black supervisor
NACA became NASA; Vaughan joined the integrated Analysis and Computation Division and became an expert FORTRAN programmer
Retired from NASA after 28 years
Died in Hampton, Virginia on November 10, age 98
Portrayed by Octavia Spencer in the film Hidden Figures
Awards & honours
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