Mountain State Times

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participated in a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, honoring West Virginian Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christina Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and other women who contributed to NASA's success during the Space Race. During the ceremony, Senator Capito delivered remarks and presented a Congressional Gold Medal to Katherine Johnson’s daughters, Joylette and Katherine.

Senator Capito has led efforts to honor Katherine Johnson's life and legacy by championing legislation for her recognition with the Congressional Gold Medal. She also introduced legislation to rename the NASA IV&V Facility in Fairmont, W.Va., after Johnson and sponsored a resolution honoring her life.

Born in 1918, Johnson had a distinguished career spanning over three decades with NASA and its predecessor agency. Among her professional accomplishments was calculating the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s Freedom 7 mission in 1961. In 1962, she verified electronic computer results for John Glenn’s Friendship 7 mission orbit calculations. Throughout her career, she provided calculations for several NASA missions, including Apollo missions.

Senator Capito’s prepared remarks included:

“I am thrilled to be here today for this event, to celebrate the achievements of this group, and I congratulate all of the worthy recipients: Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and all of the women who contributed to the success of NASA during the Space Race."

“But you’ll forgive me if one stands out in my heart and that is my fellow West Virginian Katherine Johnson who I just mentioned in that list."

“I am also so glad that Katherine’s daughters—Joylette and Katherine—could be here today to honor their mother."

“Joylette and Katherine: You should be so proud. And I know that you are."

“This event truly speaks to the notion that your mother and her remarkable colleagues are Hidden No More."

“It’s been said that Katherine Johnson ‘counted everything.’ But today we are here to celebrate the one thing even she couldn’t count: the impact she has had on the lives of students, teachers, and explorers."

“Katherine proved to us that no obstacle is too high if you work hard and believe in your goals."

“As a West Virginian, Katherine used her toughness and grit to surpass societal barriers and turn her dreams into a reality."

“Her legacy will be remembered every time we look up at the moon and remember how her work took us there for the first time."

“I am not only inspired by Katherine’s story but I am also inspired by her kindness and humility."

“I have no doubt that generations of little girls who also aspire to reach the stars will draw strength and encouragement from Katherine’s legacy."

“Her work is no longer hidden by the shadows of the men she put on the moon; she will forever be a star in the Mountain State and across the country."

“I’ll end with this: When Katherine’s daughters were growing up she would ask them when they came home from school:"

“‘What did you learn today?’"

“So today at the end of this day may we all say we learned a little more about these remarkable women who exemplified the best of what humanity can offer – Hidden no more!"

“Thank you.”