25 Katherine Johnson Quotes From NASA’s Human Computer

Often regarded as a “human computer”, Katherine Johnson is an African-American mathematician who spent 35 years working at NASA.

In the Katherine Johnson quotes below, Johnson gives first-hand accounts about her time at NASA, her upbringing, and more. 

What have you learned about Katherine Johnson in the past? 

Katherine Johnson is the brains behind many of NASA’s earliest space missions.

She played an integral role in bringing the first Americans into space with Project Mercury, NASA’s first program bringing humans into space.

In 2016, Johnson was played by Taraji P. Henson in the award-winning movie Hidden Figures, elevating her legacy to a worldwide audience.

Johnson was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. 

Learn more about the incredible life and career of mathematician Katherine Johnson below. 

Also check out these Mae Jemison quotes on breaking societal limits.

If you like this article, we suggest you explore our most popular quotes article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily encouragement. 

Check out more inspirational quotes on our motivational quotes category page.

Katherine Johnson quotes about working at NASA

1. “Everything was so new – the whole idea of going into space was new and daring. There were no textbooks, so we had to write them.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about working at NASA

2. “John Glenn’s life will long be remembered for his time in space, his courage, and his service to all Americans.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about life

You will also enjoy our article on math quotes.

3. “I felt most proud on the success of the Apollo mission.” – Katherine Johnson

Related  177 Grace Quotes That Will Change Your Life
Katherine Johnson quotes on success

4. “I found what I was looking for at Langley. This was what a research mathematician did. I went to work every day for 33 years happy. Never did I get up and say I don’t want to go to work.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes and saying

5. “I liked working with smart people.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about i liked working with smart people

6. “The women did what they were told to do. They didn’t ask questions or take the task any further. I asked questions; I wanted to know why. They got used to me asking questions and being the only woman there.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about woman

7. “There’s nothing to it; I was just doing my job.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about job

8. “We needed to be assertive as women in those days – assertive and aggressive – and the degree to which we had to be that way depended on where you were. I had to be.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes on degree

9. “We had to determine so much. Where you were, where the Moon would be and how fast the astronauts were going.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about moon

10. “I was just excited to have challenging work to do and smart people to work with.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes of challenging work

11. “We always worked as a team. It’s never just one person.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about person

12. “We put in some long hours at times, and I had three children at home. But they were very responsible, and I had family and friends who helped look after them.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about family and friends

13. “My colleagues and I were committed to the work. We found different ways to deal with the segregation.” – Katherine Johnson

Related  20 Cheech and Chong Quotes From the Comedy Duo
More Katherine Johnson quotes

14. “Let me do it. You tell me when you want it and where you want it to land, and I’ll do it backwards and tell you when to take off.” – Katherine Johnson

Wise Katherine Johnson quotes

15. “I believed I was where I was supposed to be.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about believed

16. “They needed information and I had it, and it didn’t matter that I found it. At the time, it was just a question and an answer.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes on information

Katherine Johnson quotes about mathematics

17. “I like to work problems. If you do your best, nobody can ask you to do it over again. I never had to repeat what I did.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about mathematics

18. “In math, you’re either right or you’re wrong.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about math

19. “We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes on science, engineering, and technology

20. “Everything is physics and math.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about everything is physics and math

Relatable Katherine Johnson quotes

21. “I see a picture right now that’s not parallel, so I’m going to go straighten it. Things must be in order.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about parallel

22. “I like to learn. That’s an art and a science.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes that science

23. “I’m just lucky — the Lord likes me and I like him.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about lucky

24. “All jobs are important to somebody. They had to be important to somebody. My theory is, do the best you can all the time. No fooling around.” – Katherine Johnson

Related  176 Learning Quotes & Sayings To Expand Your Mind
Random Katherine Johnson quotes

25. “We always worked as a team. It’s never just one person.” – Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson quotes about person

When’s the last time you learned something new? 

Throughout Katherine Johnson’s legacy is an emphasis on education.

Katherine Johnson’s parents ensured that there would be no roadblocks between Johnson and the education she strived for.

This is even more inspirational considering the time-period that Johnson was raised in, the early 1900s. 

During that period, being African-American could have prevented her from reaching her full educational potential.

For example, the county she grew up in didn’t offer public schooling for African-Americans past eighth-grade.

To aid her schooling, her family moved cities to ensure that Johnson’s higher education could be pursued.

Their dedication to investing in the future of their children is clear and laid the foundation for Johnson to achieve a long-lasting career and thriving life. 

Which of these Katherine Johnson quotes and sayings is your favorite?

Let us know your thoughts down below. 

Nia Simone McLeod is a writer, content creator, and video editor from Richmond, Virginia. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University, she began producing professionally edited, eye-catching written and visual content for clients on a variety of different topics such as pop culture, music, technology, business, and mental health. From songs that top the Billboard charts to binge-worthy TV shows on Netflix, she not only understands what’s “hot” in pop culture but how it connects us as a community.As communities, we bond over discussing, critiquing, and expressing our love for pop culture. Developing great digital content is equal parts research and creative ideas. As a content writer, she has helped brands and entrepreneurs create digital content that authentically expresses their brand while staying in touch with current events. Her article topics also include travel, technology, business, and health. When she is not tapping away at her laptop, she is curating her next great Spotify playlist or stuffing her face at the local pho shop.
0 comments
Be the first one to leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search