In our ongoing series #WomenThatDid ENTITY profiles inspirational and famous women in history whose impact on our world can still be felt today. If you have a suggestion for a historical powerhouse you would like to see featured tweet us with the hashtag #WomenThatDid.
Name: Melba Roy Mouton
Lifetime: 1929 – June 25, 1990
What She’s Known For: Melba Roy Mouton has worn many hats – and all of them are impressive. She served as a Harvard-educated Assistant Chief of Research Programs, the head of the Data Systems Division, Head of Mission and Trajectory Analysis Division, and Assistant Chief of Research Programs at NASA. She also headed a group of NASA mathematicians, also known as “computers,” for Echo Satellites 1 and 2. In case you aren’t already impressed enough, Mountain acted as Head Computer Programmer and Program Production Section Chief at the Goddard Space Flight Center as well.
Why We Love Her: Mouton is yet another extraordinary woman who received less recognition than her colleagues, but continued to shatter stereotypes and glass ceilings. Through hard work and dedication, Mouton became the head and leader of many missions, and her computations helped produce the orbital element timetables, which let millions see the Echo satellites asthey passed over Earth. She also received an Exceptional Performance Award and NASA’s Apollo Achievement Award.
Fun Fact: In 1972, NASA used her and many other black colleagues’ images in newspaper ads to show NASA’s commitment to diversity. One of the ads appeared in April 15th issue of The Afro American.
