Trailblazing NASA “Hidden Figure” and Black Mathematician Evelyn Boyd Granville Helped Land the First Americans on The Moon. – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
I celebrate ACHIEVEMENT EVERY DAY! When I discover role models, I do not see skin color, age, religion, sex, attractiveness (ok, I like beautiful ladies), or other nonessentials. I love learning from inspirational people that inspire me to drop MY EXCUSES and DO IT! Role models who stretch my ambitions and make me reach for the impossible.
There is dignity in achievement and success—in becoming a great factor in civilization.” Carter G. Woodson.
I hope you will share these short articles; perhaps a few people will be curious to learn more.
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
EVELYN BOYD GRANVILLE: A TRAILBLAZER AND STEM ROLE MODEL – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
INTRODUCTION
Unearthing historical role models who have mainly remained uncelebrated is a passion of mine. There’s something captivating about shedding light on their extraordinary journeys and achievements. In this regard, today’s spotlight falls on the remarkable Evelyn Boyd Granville, a trailblazer born in 1924. Dr. Boyd achieved greatness despite facing two formidable obstacles that could have easily deterred her. Not only did she defy societal expectations as a black woman, but she also shattered the preconceived notions of her time by excelling as a mathematical genius. Moreover, her groundbreaking work at NASA involved handling complex and critical calculations where lives were at stake. Let’s delve deeper into the inspiring tale of Evelyn Granville and the immense impact she had on her race and the world!
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
In 1924, barriers and limitations seemed insurmountable for women and minorities.
Evelyn Boyd Granville was born on May 1, 1924, in Washington, D.C., when racial segregation was entrenched in American society. Despite facing significant challenges, Granville’s parents instilled in her the value of education and the importance of breaking down barriers. She excelled academically, and her love for mathematics began at a young age.
Granville’s exceptional skills in mathematics did not go unnoticed. She earned a scholarship to study mathematics at Smith College, one of the prestigious Seven Sisters colleges, and graduated summa cum laude in 1945. Granville’s thirst for knowledge persisted, and she earned her master’s degree in mathematics from Yale University in 1949, becoming one of the first African American women to do so.
Evelyn Boyd Granville shattered glass ceilings and became an inspirational figure for generations. As an accomplished mathematician, educator, and computer programmer, Granville’s life journey exemplifies resilience, intelligence, and determination.
EVELYN BOYD GRANVILLE AN EXTRAORDINARY ROLE MODEL FOR ASPIRING SCIENTISTS AND MATHEMATICIANS!
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
Granville’s impressive academic background and talent in mathematics opened doors for her in various institutions. She worked at the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST). She later joined the IBM Corporation as a computer programmer, contributing significantly to the early development of computer systems.
However, Granville’s work at NASA catapulted her career to new heights. In the early 1960s, she became part of the team that calculated trajectories for the historic Mercury-Redstone 3 mission, successfully launching astronaut Alan Shepard into space, making him the first American in space. Granville’s mathematical expertise and contributions to space exploration marked a pivotal moment in her professional journey.
In 1971, Granville decided to shift her focus toward education and academia. She earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Yale University, becoming the second African-American woman to achieve this remarkable feat. Throughout her career, she held various teaching positions and continued to be a beacon of inspiration for her students.
LEGACY AND IMPACT
Evelyn Boyd Granville’s contributions to the field of mathematics and her perseverance in the face of adversity have impacted multiple generations. She not only overcame racial and gender barriers but also thrived in her pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Granville’s achievements serve as a reminder that talent knows no boundaries and that diversity in STEM fields enriches society as a whole.
Her work paved the way for women and African Americans in mathematics and science and inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in these disciplines. As a role model, she demonstrated the importance of believing in oneself, embracing challenges, and relentlessly pursuing dreams.
OBITUARY – By Josh Dinner
“Trailblazing NASA “Hidden Figure” and Black mathematician Evelyn Boyd Granville has died at the age of 99.”
“Granville was one of the first two Black women in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics. Her degree, despite hardships, led to positions working on NASA’s early human spaceflight missions and a long career in education.
As shown in the group of Black women featured in the book and 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” Granville rose, despite racial adversity, to contribute significantly to NASA’s early human spaceflight missions, including the Mercuryand Apollo programs. Her death was publicized in a Washington Post obituary published on July 7, 2023
Granville completed her undergraduate studies at Smith College in Massachusetts and earned her doctorate at Yale University in 1949. She continued her postgraduate career at the New York University Institute for Mathematics and eventually took a teaching positing at Fisk University.
She began a position at computing giant IBM in 1956, and was later part of the IBM team contracted by NASA in 1959, during the dawning days of the space race. Granville’s job included programming early mainframe computers, and determining equations for tracking orbital trajectories and safe reentries.
She worked on NASA’s Project Vanguard satellite and first crewed Mercurylaunches, and later performed moon landing calculations as technical support for engineers on the Apollo program.
After her time with the space agency, Granville became a mathematics professor at California State University, where she taught students how to teach mathematics, and also wrote textbooks on the matter.
Her career in education continued into the 1980s, when she taught at the University of Texas at Tyler. It was there that she also worked to create math enrichment programs for elementary school-age students, according to the Post.
Granville retired to Washington, D.C. in 2010, following the death of her husband, Ed Granville. According to her obituary, Granville died peacefully at her home in Silver Spring, Maryland on June 27.
A funeral service was held July 8 in Washington, D.C.”
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Let’s celebrate the life and achievements of this remarkable woman and honor her by continuing to foster inclusivity and diversity in all fields of study.
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
