Annie Easley (1933 – 2011) worked for 34 years as a mathematician, computer programmer, and rocket scientist for the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), pioneering research that made modern spaceflight possible. If there was anything harder than rocket science however, it was overcoming the discrimination that Annie faced as an African-American woman of her time. As a young girl, Annie’s mother taught her, “you can be anything you want to be, but you have to work at it.” Taking this advice to heart, Annie graduated high school as valedictorian at the top of her class, and was admitted into…
in which, with respect to our name, we are as confused as you are
By Kristina Balce
Kristina is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, and proud woman of colour in science. She is grateful to the strong women scientists who came before her - whose strength in adversity paved the way for her to excel in her industry today.