Podcast Summary: Stuff You Missed in History Class – SYMHC Classics: Mary Winston Jackson

Episode Release Date: July 26, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Stuff You Missed in History Class," hosts Tracy B. Wilson and Holly Fry delve into the inspiring life and legacy of Mary Winston Jackson, the first Black woman engineer at NASA. Responding to a listener’s request, the duo re-releases this classic episode to shed light on Jackson’s pivotal role in NASA’s history and her unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the aerospace field.

Early Life and Education

Mary Winston Jackson was born Mary Winston on April 9, 1921, in Hampton, Virginia, near NASA’s Langley Research Center. Growing up in a large family, her parents, Ella and Frank Winston, emphasized the importance of education and instilled in all their children the values of good citizenship and academic excellence. Mary attended George P. Phoenix Training School on the campus of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), where she graduated with highest honors.

Tracy highlights, “Mary graduated from Phoenix with highest honors and went on to college at the Hampton Institute. She expected that she would become a teacher, but she pushed herself to finish a double major in mathematics and physical science, even though that was a far more strenuous course of study than she would need to teach” [[20:09]].

Early Career and Personal Life

After graduating in 1942, Mary briefly taught at a segregated school in Maryland. Her plans took a turn when her father fell ill, prompting her to return to Hampton to assist with his care. However, restrictive hiring practices and nepotism rules prevented her from rejoining the teaching profession locally. Consequently, Mary secured a position as a secretary at the King Street USO, where she met her future husband, Levi Jackson, a serviceman from Alabama. They married in 1944 and had two children.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Mary was deeply involved in her community and the Bethel AME Church. She also led a Girl Scout troop for approximately three decades, mentoring young girls and actively working to integrate black and white Girl Scout councils in Virginia [[22:25]].

Transition to NACA and NASA

In 1951, seeking to re-enter the workforce, Mary applied for both a clerical position with the army and a computing position at Langley’s NACA. She initially accepted the army role but soon transitioned to Langley, joining as one of the West Area Computers on April 5, 1951, at age 26 [[24:00]]. At that time, Langley, like many institutions, was still racially segregated despite Executive Order 8802, which prohibited employment discrimination in defense industries.

Mary’s entry into Langley marked the beginning of significant changes. The West Area Computing Group, composed entirely of Black women, was led by Dorothy Vaughn, the first Black supervisor at Langley [[24:12]]. Mary faced the dual challenges of performing critical wartime calculations while navigating the pervasive racism and segregation laws of Virginia.

Challenges and Overcoming Barriers

Mary Jackson encountered blatant discrimination, such as being denied access to suitable restroom facilities when assigned to a predominantly white department. Her frustration culminated in a pivotal moment when she challenged a colleague’s dismissive behavior, leading to her collaboration with Kazmiera Czarnacki in the supersonic pressure tunnel. Her meticulous work earned her recognition and paved the way for her entry into the engineer training program [[25:22]].

In 1958, after completing the necessary coursework at the University of Virginia, Mary was promoted to engineer, making her the first Black woman engineer at NACA and NASA. This achievement was monumental, breaking racial and gender barriers in a highly specialized and previously exclusive field [[27:49]].

Contributions and Mentorship

As an engineer, Mary co-authored multiple technical publications and specialized in the behavior of air around supersonic aircraft. Her expertise was instrumental during a transformative period for NASA during the space race. Beyond her technical contributions, Mary was a passionate mentor, advocating for women and minorities to pursue engineering careers. She established support networks and actively worked to ensure that talented individuals received the training and opportunities needed to advance [[32:42]].

Mary’s efforts extended beyond her immediate professional environment. She continued her community involvement through the Girl Scouts and conducted workshops in high schools, emphasizing that engineering was accessible to all, regardless of race or gender [[35:46]].

Legacy and Recognition

Mary Jackson retired from NASA in 1985 after a distinguished career marked by perseverance and significant contributions to aerospace engineering and equal opportunity initiatives. Her legacy is celebrated through various honors, including the renaming of Jackson Elementary School in Salt Lake City in her honor and the posthumous recognition through the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act, which aimed to honor her alongside other trailblazing women at NASA [[36:09]].

Tracy concludes, “Mary Jackson was more than just an engineer; she was a mentor, a community leader, and a pioneer who paved the way for future generations of underrepresented scientists and engineers” [[37:17]].

Conclusion

This episode of "Stuff You Missed in History Class" not only highlights Mary Winston Jackson’s extraordinary achievements but also underscores the broader struggles and triumphs of Black women in STEM fields during a transformative era in American history. Through their detailed exploration, Tracy and Holly honor Jackson’s enduring impact on NASA and her role in advancing diversity and inclusion within the aerospace industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy B. Wilson [[05:09]]: “Mary Jackson really hasn't gotten as much recognition as some of the other women who are featured in Hidden Figures... she changed the whole direction of her career to do this.”

• Holly Fry [[24:47]]: “This was a year of big changes at Langley, and we're gonna get to those after we first pause for another sponsor break.”

• Tracy B. Wilson [[37:45]]: “Things like this book introduces 10 new characters in a paragraph and then just never follows up on them again. Those weren't characters, honey, they were people.”

References:

• Transcript timestamps are included in double brackets throughout the summary to indicate the source of quoted material.

Additional Resources:

Listeners interested in learning more about Mary Winston Jackson and the other women featured in "Hidden Figures" are encouraged to read Margot Lee Shetterly's book and explore further historical accounts of the women who played crucial roles in NASA’s early years.