Mary Golda Ross

Mary Golda Ross, born in a part of the Cherokee Nation that would eventually become Oklahoma, was a woman of formidable intellect and even more formidable patience, no doubt honed by explaining orbital mechanics to people who probably still thought the Earth was flat. After all, if you're going to be the first known Native American female engineer, you might as well aim for the stars—literally.

Ross spent the bulk of her career at Lockheed, where she wasn't just working on rockets, she was practically inventing the math that made them fly. From the Agena rocket program to early studies on flights to Mars and Venus, she was charting courses for humanity's future in space. While others were arguing over whether Pluto was a planet (it is, sometimes), Ross was already calculating how to get there.

Now, regarding her Jewish bona fides: Mary Golda Ross was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation. Her heritage was rich with history, but decidedly lacking in matzo ball soup recipes or strong opinions on the gefilte fish debate. She didn't identify as Jewish, nor did she have any discernible Jewish ancestry. Her identity was firmly rooted in her Cherokee heritage and her extraordinary contributions to science.

However, a woman who breaks barriers, calculates trajectories for interplanetary travel, and generally makes humanity look good? That's kvell-worthy, no matter what your background. We're pretty sure even the most discerning bubbe would find something to brag about here, even if it's just her impeccable problem-solving skills.