Text
Strong Shoulders
2
lt was a historic moment in January 2021, when Kamala Harris became the first female,
3
first Black and first Asian American US Vice President. "I stand on their shoulders", she
4
said in her inauguration speech, highlighting the important role of Black women in
5
American history.
6
Talent, great achievements and a strong will characterized these women's lives, their
7
fight for equality and for making their dreams come true in a mainly male and white
8
dominated world. But who are these women?
9
Famous women that come to mind are activist Rosa Parks, American talk show host
10
Oprah Winfrey or former First Lady Michelle Obama. But there are many more.
11
One of them is Annie Easley, known as one of the first 'human computers'. She
12
started working for NACA in the 1950s, doing complex calculations for scientists by
13
hand, just what computers do today. Later, when being a computer programmer at
14
NASA, she developed computer coding that made space shuttle launches possible.
15
So, her work was an essential contribution to the success of several US space
16
missions, especially for launches of military, communication and weather satellites.
17
Annie Easley also improved batteries and analyzed alternative power technology to
18
solve energy problems – a technology used for early hybrid vehicles and rockets.
19
Nevertheless, being an African-American woman, she had to make an even bigger
20
effort to reach the top: Annie Easley faced racial discrimination all her life.
21
When hired by NACA, she was one of only four African-Americans of about 2,500
22
employees. After 'human computers' had been replaced by machines and NACA
23
was renamed NASA, she studied Mathematics at Cleveland State University.
24
Discrimination became obvious when Annie Easley was denied financial aid that
25
NASA gave to other employees to pay for additional college courses. That was why
26
she had to continue working full-time for NASA while going to university part-time.
27
In an interview in 2001, she shared her key to success: "I just have my own attitude.
28
l'm out here to get the job done, and I knew I had the ability to do it, and that's
29
where my focus was. I was not so discouraged that l'd walk away." Annie Easley
30
was curious and this curiosity showed her what needed to be done. She then used
31
her talents to reach her goals despite racial discrimination.
32
Annie Easley became one of the most influential Black women working for NASA.
33
A co-worker described her as a person who loved life and encouraged others to
34
do the same. lt was her energy and positive attitude that had a huge effect on the
35
people around her. At NASA, she encouraged women and students of ethnic
36
minorities to start a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
37
Besides, by teaching members of her African-American community, she helped
38
them to pass literacy tests which allowed African-Americans to vote. This way, her
39
community members were given a voice. Throughout her working life, she also
40
fought for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, age and race.
41
And, even more than a decade after Annie Easley's death at the age of 78 in 2011,
42
her struggle is still inspiring countless people.
43
Although equal opportunities for all should be considered normal, up to this day,
44
minorities still have to fight hard for their rights all over the world. However, with
45
Kamala Harris as the first female Black Asian-American US Vice President, the
46
Adapted from:
world has certainly come one step closer to equality.
https://policymagazine.ca/i-stand-on-their-shoulders-kamala-harriss-victory-speech/ (16.03.2021)
https://studydriver.com/my-hero-annie-easley/ (16.03.2021)
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/annie-easley-computer-scientist (16.03.2021 )
https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/easley annie-j (16.03.2021)
https://www.salon.com/2018/12/25/meet-annie-easley-the-barrier-breaking-mathematician-who-helped-us-explore-the-solarsystem_partner/ (16.03.2021)