Annie J. Easley was born on April 23rd 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was an American computer scientist, mathematician, and rocket scientist. Annie J. Easley was one of the first African-Americans to work as a computer scientist in NASA. As A computer scientist, Annie J. Easley has contributed to many projects, inspired many people by actively participating in outreach projects, and broke barriers as equal employment opportunities.
Before the civil rights movement that arose in the 1950s, African-American children had very limited opportunities for education and career choices. Fortunately, Easley has received strong support and encouragement from her mother. She could be whoever she wants to be, but she has to put in a lot of effort for this. The warm family environment allowed Easley to receive a good education from an early age. After graduating from Holy Family High School, she went to Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana to study medicine for about two years. In 1955, Easley read an article from the local newspaper about working on artificial computers at NACA (the predecessor of NASA). Easley submitted an application the next day and was accepted two weeks later, becoming one of the only four African Americans among other 2,500 employees. Easley continues to study after she started working. She received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Cleveland State University in 1977 and participated in professional courses provided by NASA. Easley has completed many program projects for NASA using languages such as Fortran and the SOAP protocol; she has also developed computer codes for studying energy conversion systems and analyzing alternative energy technologies, including battery technologies for early hybrid vehicles. Easley also participated in the “Centaur” rocket project, providing technical support for space shuttle launches and communications.
While working at NASA, Easley also actively participated in university tutoring activities. As a successful person who broke the barriers of race and gender in the STEM field, she especially encouraged young people to join the program, especially women and minorities. Easley also served as a consultant for NASA’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) agency, assisting in resolving discrimination based on gender, race, and age. She retired in 1989, but still actively giving speeches and activities related to professional women’s associations. Easley passed away in Cleveland on June 25, 2011, at the age of 78.
Annie J. Easley has not only contributed to the mankind in space science, but also worked hard for the issue of discrimination against women and minorities throughout her life. Scientists like Easley deserve our admiration and memory.
Bibliography
Carpenter, J., 2020. Annie J. Easley (1933-2011). [online] Blackpast.org. Available at: <https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/annie-j-easley-1933-2011/> [Accessed 16 December 2020].
Scientificwomen.net. n.d. Annie EASLEY. [online] Available at: <https://scientificwomen.net/women/easley-annie-160> [Accessed 16 December 2020].
Manjit Somal, S., n.d. Meet Annie Easley – The Stemettes Zine. [online] Stemettes.org. Available at: <https://stemettes.org/zine/profiles/meet-annie-easley/> [Accessed 16 December 2020].
Samorodnitsky, D., 2018. [online] Massivesci.com. Available at: <https://massivesci.com/articles/annie-easley-facts-stem-mathematician-nasa-scientist-discrimination/> [Accessed 16 December 2020].
