THE MASKED READER: ‘Reaching For the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson’

By Gabe Gomes
The Masked Reader

There is a very popular quote stated by Norman Vincent Peale that says, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” 

Well, unfortunately, that wasn’t an option for Katherine Johnson in 1969. As a NASA mathematician, if she succeeded, then she would have been part of history and made history at the same time. If not, the lives and jobs of many would have been in jeopardy. And all of this is mentioned in her book “Reaching For the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson.”

In her autobiography, Mrs. Johnson gives an insight on the difficulties, tragedy and triumphs of growing up as a black woman in a racist community, as well as some incredible accomplishments she made in her later life. This book also addresses some problems that still exist today, such as how people still discriminate against women of color. Johnson helped make the calculations that sent the first people to the moon: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

This book got my attention at first because I am largely obsessed with space (sue me). But the book became even more interesting once I found out about how people such as Mrs. Johnson helped pave the way for equality. When Mrs. Johnson started working, everyone looked down on her. But now, they even named an entire section of NASA after her. 

This woman has inspired me and others to never discriminate, underestimate or judge anyone by things that they can’t control. I absolutely loved this book, and I hope it inspires people for generations to step up when it is hard — just like what she has done. And, although Mrs. Johnson is not alive anymore (she died in 2020 after living 101 years), her work lives on. I hope many people find out just how important she was. After all, if you put your mind to it, like her, you can always reach for the moon.