Trajectory

Welcome to this site dedicated to Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician whose calculations were essential to space conquest. Her story illustrates the Matilda effect, the phenomenon that consists of minimizing or erasing women's contributions in science. This site highlights her journey and that of other forgotten female scientists, to better understand and combat these biases.

Katherine Johnson sitting at her desk, working on mathematical calculations.
Katherine Johnson at her NASA desk, 1960s

Who is Katherine Johnson?

Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) was an African-American mathematician and space engineer whose precise calculations were essential to NASA's early successes. Her work enabled the trajectories of historic missions, particularly those of Alan Shepard and Apollo 11, the first lunar mission. Despite the racial and sexist barriers of her time, she established herself through her expertise and contributed to American space conquest. Katherine Johnson embodies the fight for recognition of women in science and perfectly illustrates the Matilda effect.

Katherine Johnson being awarded a medal by President Obama

Katherine Johnson

Nathan Batista Balanche

Dive into the fascinating story of Katherine Johnson, the 'human computer' who sent astronauts to the Moon and changed science forever.

Portrait of Katherine Johnson working

Research & Theories

Nathan Batista Balanche

Explore Katherine Johnson's discoveries and innovative methods: revolutionary calculations that changed the history of space conquest.

Poster for the movie Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures

Nathan Batista Balanche

Discover the movie 'Hidden Figures': the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson and NASA's forgotten pioneers finally brought to the screen.

The Matilda Effect?

The Matilda effect refers to the recurrent denial or minimization of female scientists' work in favor of their male colleagues. This phenomenon, theorized by Margaret Rossiter, highlights gender biases* in research and the need for more equitable recognition.

Portraits of pioneering women, symbols of science

The Matilda Effect

Nathan Batista Balanche

Understand the phenomenon that erased women's scientific contributions and discover how to combat it today.

A woman writing a book

Women of Science in Literature

Nathan Batista Balanche

How literature brings back to life the forgotten female figures in the history of science.

Drawing of a woman and a man illustrating the Matilda effect

Filmography

Nathan Batista Balanche

Films and documentaries that tell the true stories of pioneering female scientists.