Englisch · 2022 · Text Based Tasks

A Tribute to Black Women in America

In January 2021, something historic took place: Kamala Harris was
sworn in as the first female, first Black, and first Asian-American
Vice President of the United States. "I stand on their shoulders,"
she said during her inauguration speech, underlining how important
Black women have been throughout American history.

Talent, remarkable achievements and a strong will have marked these
women's lives, as they fought for equality and strove to make their
dreams come true in a world largely dominated by men and white
people. But who exactly are these women?

Well-known names that come to mind include the activist Rosa Parks,
American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, and former First Lady
Michelle Obama. But there are many more women whose stories
deserve to be told.

One of these women is Annie Easley, known as one of the very first
"human computers." She began working for NACA in the 1950s, doing
complex calculations by hand for scientists - exactly what computers
do today. Later, as a computer programmer at NASA, she wrote the
code that made space shuttle launches possible, an essential
contribution to several US space missions, especially launches of
military, communication and weather satellites. Annie Easley also
improved batteries and studied alternative power technology to solve
energy problems - technology later used in early hybrid vehicles and rockets.

Still, as an African-American woman, she had to work even harder to
succeed: Annie Easley faced racial discrimination throughout her
entire life. When she was hired by NACA, she was one of just four
African Americans among roughly 2,500 employees. After machines
took over the work of "human computers" and NACA became NASA,
she went on to study Mathematics at Cleveland State University.
The discrimination she faced became clear when Annie Easley was
refused the financial aid that NASA gave other employees to help
pay for extra college courses. This meant she had to keep working
full-time for NASA while attending university part-time.
In a 2001 interview, she described her secret to success: having her
own attitude, focusing on getting the job done because she knew she
had the ability, and never feeling discouraged enough to walk away.

Annie Easley went on to become one of the most influential Black
women at NASA. One co-worker described her as someone who loved
life and inspired others to feel the same way. Her energy and
positive outlook had a powerful effect on the people around her.
At NASA, she encouraged women and students from ethnic minorities
to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or
mathematics.
She also taught members of her African-American community, helping
them pass the literacy tests required for African Americans to vote,
giving her community a voice. Throughout her career, she also
campaigned for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, age or race.

Even now, more than ten years after Annie Easley passed away at
the age of 78 in 2011, her struggle continues to inspire countless people.
While equal opportunities for everyone ought to be the norm, minorities
around the world still have to fight hard for their rights today. Still, with Kamala Harris becoming the first female Black Asian-American US Vice President, the world has certainly moved one step closer to equality.