Christine Darden: The African American Pioneer of Aerospace Engineering at NASA

In our last entry, we highlighted the contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three African American women who were instrumental in the early days of America's space program and were known as the "hidden figures." While their story and legacy have been widely recognized, it is important to also acknowledge the work of their colleague Christine Darden, a mathematician, and aerospace engineer who also made significant contributions to NASA during the Civil Rights Movement. In this entry, we will delve deeper into Darden's groundbreaking work and her impact on the field of aerospace engineering.

Darden began her career at NASA in 1967 as a "human computer," performing mathematical calculations by hand. She quickly proved herself to be a valuable asset to the team and was soon promoted to engineer, where she worked on projects related to supersonic flight and sonic booms. Darden's work on sonic booms and her research on how to reduce the noise made by supersonic planes was particularly noteworthy, and it had a significant impact on the development of supersonic transport.

Darden's work at NASA spanned over three decades, and during that time, she also served as an advocate for diversity and inclusion, mentoring other women and people of color in the field of aerospace engineering. She was also a trailblazer in her field, becoming one of the few African American women to hold the position of Senior Executive Service at NASA.

Darden's contributions to the field of aerospace engineering were recognized by her peers and industry leaders, she received multiple awards for her work, including the Langley Research Center's Equal Opportunity Award and the NASA Langley Research Center's highest honor, the Exceptional Service Medal.

Throughout her career, Christine Darden has been an inspiration for many, particularly women and people of color in STEM fields. Her story and legacy continues to remind us of the important contributions of people who are often overlooked in history. Her work and achievements deserve to be highlighted and celebrated.

Data Security for Churches and Ministry Organizations:

Dear God, as we consider the importance of data security for churches and ministry organizations, we ask for your protection and guidance. Help us to use technology in a way that is responsible and keeps your people safe.

The risks and consequences of data breaches for churches and ministry organizations can be significant. Sensitive information such as financial data, personal contact information, and confidential records can be compromised, leading to financial loss, damage to reputation, and a loss of trust among church members. It is essential for churches and ministry organizations to prioritize data security and take steps to protect sensitive information. Here are some strategies for prot

ecting sensitive data:

• Use strong, unique passwords: It's important to use strong passwords that are difficult to guess and not used for any other accounts. It can also be helpful to use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for each account.

• Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to a phone, in addition to a password. This can help prevent unauthorized access to accounts.

• Use encrypted communications: Encrypting emails and other communications can help protect sensitive information from being intercepted and viewed by unauthorized parties.

• Regularly update software and security protocols: Keeping software and security protocols up-to-date is essential for protecting against the latest threats. Make sure to regularly update your systems and stay informed about new security measures.

In addition to these technical measures, it's important to create a culture of data security within a church or ministry organization. Here are some tips for doing so:

• Educate staff and volunteers: Make sure that staff and volunteers are aware of the importance of data security and know how to protect sensitive information.

• Establish clear policies and procedures: Have clear policies in place for how to handle and protect sensitive data. Make sure that all staff and volunteers are familiar with these policies and understand their responsibilities.

• Regularly review and update policies: As technology and threats evolve, it's important to regularly review and update data security policies to ensure that they are effective and up-to-date.

There are many resources available for staying up-to-date on data security best practices. Here are a few:

• National Cyber Security Alliance: The National Cyber Security Alliance provides information and resources on how to stay safe online, including best practices for data security.

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a division of the Department of Homeland Security that provides information and resources on cybersecurity.

• TechSoup: TechSoup is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to other nonprofits on a variety of topics, including data security.

By prioritizing data security and creating a culture of data security within a church or ministry organization, we can protect sensitive information and create a safe and trustworthy environment for all. May we use technology in a way that honors you and serves your people. Amen.

The Hidden Figures of NASA's Space Program: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson

As we prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it's important to remember the contributions of African American women in STEM fields, particularly the work of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson at NASA during the Civil Rights Movement. These three women, known as the "hidden figures," were instrumental in the early days of America's space program, and their work helped to pave the way for future generations of scientists and engineers.

Katherine Johnson, a mathematician, began working at NASA in 1953 as a "computer," a term used at the time to describe people who performed mathematical calculations by hand. Despite facing discrimination and racism in the workplace, she worked on the team that calculated the trajectories for the first American in space, Alan Shepard, and for the first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn. Her work was vital to the success of these missions, and her calculations were used to program the electronic computers of the time.

Johnson's work at NASA continued for 35 years, during which she also worked on the Apollo Moon landing program, as well as the Space Shuttle program. She retired in 1986, but her legacy continues to inspire many, particularly women and people of color in STEM fields.

In 2015, President Obama awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, for her work in mathematics and her contributions to the space program.

Dorothy Vaughan, also a mathematician, was one of the first African American women to work as a supervisor at NASA. She led a group of African American women mathematicians, known as "human computers," who performed calculations by hand. Despite facing discrimination, she was instrumental in the implementation of electronic computers at NASA, and she trained her team to use the new IBM machine, becoming the first African American woman to do so.

Mary Jackson, an aerospace engineer, began working at NASA in 1951 as a mathematician. She was the first African American woman to be promoted to engineer at NASA, and her work focused on the aerodynamics of supersonic flight. Despite facing discrimination, she also worked on the Apollo Moon landing program.

Their story, along with their colleagues, were known as the "hidden figures" at NASA, as their contributions to the space program were not widely recognized at the time. But in 2016, the book "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly was adapted into a film of the same name, which tells the story of Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson, and their experiences working at NASA during the Civil Rights Movement. The film starred Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as DoroVaughan, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson, and was a commercial and critical success. Hidden Figures brought attention to the contributions of these women and helped to shine a light on the often-overlooked contributions of African American women in STEM fields.

It's worth mentioning that while the film "Hidden Figures" brings attention to the contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, it is not a complete representation of all the African American women mathematicians at NASA during the Civil Rights Movement. One of the notable missing figures from the film is Christine Darden, a mathematician, and aerospace engineer, who was also one of the "hidden figures" team and a colleague of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. However, it is important to recognize the contributions of all the women who worked at NASA during that time. To acknowledge that their stories are worth telling, we will be dedicating a separate entry for Christine Darden, where her work and achievements will be highlighted.

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's remember the legacy of these trailblazing women who, despite facing discrimination and racism, made significant contributions to their field and helped to pave the way for future generations. Their story is a reminder that everyone should have equal opportunities, and that diversity and inclusion are essential in any field, particularly in STEM.