H.R. 1396, the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act
Legislation
H.R. 1396, the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act
Endorsements
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
American Mathematical Society
“The American Mathematical Society applauds Congressional efforts to award Gold Medals to 'Hidden Figures' Christine Darden, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan. These women were pioneers, leading the way for woman and people of color in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over half a century later, girls, women and minorities are still lost at every key point along the way in STEM classes and degree programs. It is incumbent on us to change this. Giving Gold Medals to these four not only recognizes their own individual outstanding achievements but also elevates them as role models for students who aspire to STEM careers but believe these are out of reach due simply to their gender or race or some other circumstance of birth.”
American Meteorological Society
American Physical Society
“The American Physical Society is proud to endorse the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act. The women, who served as computers, mathematicians and engineers, were instrumental to NASA’s success during the Space Race and are eminently worthy of this recognition,” said David Gross, President of the American Physical Society. “Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Dr. Christine Darden are particularly extraordinary, and we are delighted to see their accomplishments receive this special recognition by Congress. Their legacies will undoubtedly serve to inspire future generations of students, especially women and underrepresented minorities, to pursue careers in STEM fields.”
American Political Science Association
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Association for the Study of African American Life and History
“The Association for the Study of African American Life and History believes that it is of the utmost importance to honor the African American women mathematicians who contributed decisively to our nation’s prowess in the crucial early years of spaceflight development and who, for too long, have been the unsung heroes in the space race of the Cold War.”
Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, National President, Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Association for Women in Mathematics
“As Presidents of our respective organizations, we would like to endorse the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act,” said Edray Goins, President of the National Association of Mathematicians, and Ami Radunskaya, President of the Association for Women in Mathematics. “Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Dr. Christine Darden made great contributions in the fields of aeronautic design, numerical analysis and simulation, and flight modeling. Their research helped aircraft successfully navigate after breaking the sound barrier, and their humanity inspired women and African Americans alike by breaking social barriers.”
Biomedical Engineering Society
Computing Research Association
Girl Scouts of the USA
“Girl Scouts is proud to stand with Congress in honoring Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden with the Congressional Gold Medal for their vital contributions to NASA and the American space program,” said Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. “These four amazing women inspired generations of girls and women to pursue our interests in the STEM fields. As an engineer, scientist, and former member of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I am a direct beneficiary of these groundbreaking, courageous women, who blazed a trail for us all. Their impact on NASA, and their place in the pantheon of American scientific history, was hidden for too long. Today, we are excited that they are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.”
IEEE-USA
National Association of Mathematics
National Congress of Black Women
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society of Women Engineers
“The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is thrilled to support a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden. These extraordinary women made enormous contributions to NASA and the US space program. They are outstanding role models for the next generation of STEM professionals, and their stories are inspiring to young women nationwide,” said Karen Horting, Executive Director & CEO of the Society of Women Engineers.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
United Negro College Fund
"UNCF proudly endorses the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act led in the House by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Ranking Member Frank Lucas of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology," said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO at UNCF. "Recognizing Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden for their extraordinary talents and contributions is well overdue. The time is now for Congress to pass this important piece of legislation as we seek to honor these magnificent women and all women for the roles they have played at NASA during the Space Race."
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