Mary Jackson was a pioneering African American engineer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of aerospace engineering. Born in Hampton, Virginia in 1921, Jackson initially worked as a math teacher before joining the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA, in 1951.

At NACA, Jackson began working as a "human computer," calculating complex mathematical equations by hand. She was later promoted to engineer, becoming the first African American female engineer at NASA. Jackson's groundbreaking work included conducting experiments in NASA's wind tunnels to study the effects of airflow on aircraft.

In 1979, Jackson moved into a management position in the Equal Opportunity Specialist field, where she sought to address issues of gender and racial discrimination within the agency. Her advocacy and leadership paved the way for other women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM fields.

Mary Jackson's story was brought to wider recognition through the book and subsequent film adaptation "Hidden Figures," which showcased the contributions of Jackson and other African American women mathematicians at NASA. Jackson's trailblazing career and commitment to equality have left a lasting impact on the fields of aerospace engineering and beyond.