## Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to the Pioneers of Hidden Figures The United States Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to four women who were recognized for playing a crucial role in NASA's success. ### Honoring the Unsung Heroines The award is regarded as the highest civilian honor given by Congress and serves as a testament to the extraordinary contributions made by these women during the early years of the space race. ### Accomplishments of the Hidden Figures - **Katherine Johnson:** A mathematician who calculated the trajectories of some of NASA's most historic missions, including the first moon landing. - **Mary Jackson:** An engineer who fought for equal rights and helped break barriers for African Americans in engineering. - **Dorothy Vaughan:** The first Black female to lead a NASA division, supervising a team of engineers. - **Christine Darden:** An engineer and computer scientist who played a vital role in the development of the space shuttle. ### Significance of the Award The recognition of these women highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women and minorities in science and technology. The award also sends a powerful message about the importance of diversity and inclusion in all fields.
Comments