Mary Winston Jackson

Mary Winston Jackson didn't just break the glass ceiling; she helped design the trajectory that allowed others to fly through it. As one of NASA's original "human computers," her meticulous calculations were instrumental in the success of the Mercury and Apollo programs, proving that rockets and math were colorblind, even if the institutions around her weren't.

Born in Hampton, Virginia, Jackson earned her degrees and began her career navigating the segregated south, eventually landing at the Langley Research Center. Her journey from mathematician to engineer wasn't just a career progression; it was a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her refusal to be confined by the era's narrow expectations.

Later in her career, she took on an administrative role, shifting her focus from calculating flight paths to calculating pathways for women and minorities in STEM. She championed diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the doors she had to kick open were a little wider for those who followed. So, while she never designed a synagogue, she certainly helped launch careers, which in some circles, is considered just as divine.