Notable Achievements of Black Female Engineers

3D image technology has changed entertainment and science as we know it - all thanks to Valerie Thomas. This futuristic concept became a reality and continues to shape today’s technology, all thanks to this NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist and inventor. Before her invention, visual displays were limited to flat, 2-dimensional images. Then, in 1976, after witnessing an illusion where a lightbulb appeared lit despite being removed from its socket, Thomas began experimenting with concave mirrors. By 1980, she patented the “illusion transmitter,” a groundbreaking system that uses mirrors and cameras to create realistic 3D images - holograms - that forever changed how we perceive visual information. This invention was later used in NASA satellite technology, revolutionising how we analyse and interpret data from space. It has also since been adapted for use in surgery, enhancing precision in medical imaging and procedures, And, of course, has influenced the production of television and video screens, paving the way for immersive entertainment experiences. But her legacy extends far beyond holography: 👉🏾 Thomas played a critical role in developing image-processing systems for Landsat, the first satellite to send images of Earth from space. 👉🏾 She helped to develop computer program designs that supported research on Halley's Comet, the ozone layer, and satellite technology. 👉🏾 She’s received many awards for her work and her activism, including an Award of Merit from the Goddard Space Flight Center and the NASA Equal Opportunity Medal. Thomas retired from NASA in 1995, but her impact didn’t stop there. She continues to inspire generations, to enter STEM fields and break new ground. Her invention changed how we see the world - literally and figuratively, influencing everything from medical technologies to entertainment. #ReclaimingNarratives

The next time you make a video call, remember: a Black woman in the ‘80s made it possible. In 1982, Marian Croak joined Bell Labs with a PhD in quantitative analysis and social psychology from USC. She started in Human Factors Research. Her job: figure out how tech could make life better for real people. At the time, the modern internet didn’t exist. But she saw what was coming. Most telecom companies were betting on ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) to transmit voice, video, and text. Marian said no. She pushed AT&T to adopt TCP/IP—the protocol that still powers the internet today. Then she went further… What if your voice could travel as digital data? What if a phone call didn’t need a phone line? That’s how she helped invent the foundations of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). She worked on quality control, latency, and how to make voice over the internet sound human. Then came her second breakthrough: text-to-donate. In 2003, Marian saw AT&T build a text voting system for American Idol. Fans could vote via SMS. She had a thought: if people can vote by text, why can’t they donate too? In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, she and co-inventor Hossein Eslambolchi built it. It raised $130,000 for relief organizations. Five years later, after the Haiti earthquake, the same system raised $43M via mobile donations. She received a U.S. patent for it: “Method and Apparatus for Dynamically Debiting a Donation.” In 2013, she was awarded the Thomas Edison Patent Award for it. In total, she holds over 200 patents, with nearly half related to VoIP. By the time she left AT&T in 2014, she was Senior Vice President of Applications and Services Infrastructure, overseeing 2,000 engineers and more than 500 projects in enterprise mobility and consumer wireline tech. Then she joined Google. There, she became VP of Engineering. She helped bring broadband to underserved communities across Africa and Asia. She launched Google’s Center for Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technology, building ethical frameworks for the future of artificial intelligence. Her team is applying AI to problems such as: – Maternal health monitoring in developing nations – Early disease detection – Climate impact mitigation In her words: “AI can amplify the worst stereotypes and spread misinformation. It has to serve the deepest needs of humanity.” In 2022, she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 💡Follow Justine Juillard to read 365 stories of women innovators in 365 days. Tap the 🔔 on my profile so you don’t miss a single story.

Alice Parker was a groundbreaking African American inventor whose work helped lay the foundation for modern central heating systems. In 1919, she was granted a U.S. patent for a gas-powered heating system that introduced the concept of using natural gas to heat individual rooms through a centralized structure. At a time when most homes relied on fireplaces or wood- and coal-burning stoves, Parker envisioned a safer, more efficient, and more controllable way to heat entire buildings. Her design proposed a system that distributed heat through ducts, allowing different rooms to be warmed individually rather than relying on a single heat source. This idea was revolutionary because it anticipated zoning—one of the most important principles in modern HVAC systems. Parker also focused on safety, designing her system to reduce the risk of fires, which were common with open flames and traditional stoves in early 20th-century homes. Although Parker’s exact system was not widely adopted during her lifetime, her ideas directly influenced the evolution of central heating technology used today. Modern gas furnaces, ductwork, and zoned heating systems all reflect concepts she pioneered more than a century ago. Her contribution stands as an important but often overlooked example of how Black women have shaped everyday technologies that millions of people rely on—often without knowing whose vision made them possible. #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #blackgirlsrock #BlackGirlMagic

Gladys Mae Brown, a remarkable mathematician often hailed as a "hidden figure," defied the limited opportunities available to young Black girls in rural Virginia. Despite the prevailing norms pushing towards farming or tobacco processing, her academic excellence led her to Virginia State College, now Virginia State University, where she obtained a mathematics degree in 1952. Subsequently, she pursued a master's degree while navigating racial segregation and discrimination in the job market. In 1956, Gladys joined the U.S. Naval Proving Ground as a mathematician, becoming only the fourth Black employee. Renowned for her prowess in solving intricate mathematical problems manually, she later transitioned to computer programming. Her contributions were instrumental in projects like the Naval Ordinance Research Calculator and the groundbreaking Seasat satellite initiative, a pioneer in ocean surveillance technology. From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, West programmed an IBM 7030 Stretch computer to deliver increasingly precise calculations to model the shape of the Earth – an ellipsoid with irregularities, known as the geoid. Generating an extremely accurate model required her to employ complex algorithms to account for variations in gravitational, tidal, and other forces that distort Earth's shape. West's team once discovered an error during the study and out of all of the brilliant minds, she was the only one that was able to solve it. West's data ultimately became the basis for the Global Positioning System (GPS). Leading the Seasat project in 1978, Gladys West demonstrated the potential of satellites in gathering crucial oceanographic data. Her work paved the way for GEOSAT, a revolutionary satellite program enabling precise calculations of Earth's surface features. These innovations, including the development of a geoid model, significantly contributed to the accuracy of the GPS system we rely on today. Throughout her illustrious career, Gladys West continued her academic pursuits, earning multiple master's degrees and a Ph.D. even after retirement. Her memoir, "It Began with A Dream," co-authored with M. H. Jackson, not only chronicles her extraordinary journey but also stands as an inspiration for women and girls aspiring to break barriers and excel in STEM fields. Dr. West is the only black woman to be inducted into the Air Force Missile and Space Pioneers Hall of Fame and was recently inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Every time your phone finds you, it’s using math written by someone history forgot. #storytime Do you know the Black woman who helped build the math behind GPS; the system used by airplanes, ships, satellites, and every phone in your pocket? Her name is Gladys West. And most of us were never taught it. Born in rural Virginia in the 1930s, she grew up picking cotton on a farm where education was the only way out. She earned a mathematics degree and became one of the very few Black women hired at the U.S. Naval Proving Ground. Her work demanded absolute precision. One wrong number could destroy an entire satellite mission. Long before AI or big data, Gladys West was a human computer calculating, modeling, validating. Often invisible. Rarely credited. To make satellite navigation possible, scientists first needed the right physics. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity explained how time behaves differently in motion and gravity a correction without which GPS could never work. But physics alone doesn’t build systems. What GPS really needed next was an exact mathematical model of Earth. Not a perfect sphere, but a planet that bulges, tilts, shifts, and curves unevenly. This is where Gladys West comes in. She helped develop the geodetic models that made satellite positioning accurate enough to work. She didn’t know she was building GPS. She believed she was “just improving maps.” Her equations were later used by NASA, aviation, shipping, the military and eventually every navigation system we now rely on. Planes landing safely. Ships crossing oceans. Emergency services. Ride-hailing. Logistics. Every smartphone. She worked 42 years before being recognized. In 2018, at age 87, she was finally honored by the U.S. Air Force. And here’s the part that still matters. Today, we celebrate the big (mostly male) names in AI. We quote them. Podium them. Mythologize them. Meanwhile, women continue to build the foundations; quietly, precisely, invisibly. Then. Now. The technology changed. The pattern didn’t. So maybe the real question isn’t who invented the next breakthrough, but who are we not seeing — again? #WomenInTech #HiddenFigures #AI #Leadership #Innovation #HistoryMatters

Dr. Gladys B. West is a pioneering African-American mathematician whose work was essential in creating the Global Positioning System, commonly known as GPS. Born in 1930 in a small rural town in Virginia, West showed an early talent for mathematics despite facing racial and gender discrimination. She pursued her education diligently, earning a degree in mathematics and eventually joining the Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, Virginia, in 1956. At the lab, West worked as one of the few women mathematicians during a time when opportunities for women and minorities in science and technology were extremely limited. Her primary task involved complex mathematical calculations to model the shape of the Earth, known as the geoid. Accurate modeling of the Earth’s shape was critical because even small errors could drastically affect navigation and satellite positioning. West’s work focused on developing precise algorithms and calculations that could account for factors such as the Earth’s gravitational variations and irregularities in its shape. These calculations were later used to improve the accuracy of satellite orbits, which became the foundation for modern GPS technology. Without her contributions, GPS as we know it today used in everything from smartphones to navigation systems in cars, airplanes, and ships would not have been as reliable or accurate. Over her career, Dr. West demonstrated incredible skill and persistence. She was responsible for integrating enormous datasets collected from satellites into accurate mathematical models. Her ability to handle such complex data, combined with her deep understanding of mathematics and geodesy, set her apart as a trailblazer in the field. Beyond her technical contributions, West also served as an inspiration for future generations of women and people of color in STEM, showing that dedication and talent can overcome systemic barriers. Though her work remained largely unrecognized for many years, Dr. West’s legacy has grown as the importance of GPS has become central to modern life. In 2018, she was inducted into the U.S. Air Force Hall of Fame, honoring her crucial role in one of the most transformative technological achievements of the 20th century. Today, her story continues to inspire young scientists and mathematicians, proving that meticulous work behind the scenes can change the world. Dr. Gladys B. West’s career is a testament to brilliance, perseverance, and the critical impact of mathematics in technology that we often take for granted. Her contributions continue to guide navigation, mapping, and countless innovations globally. #DrGladysBWest #GPS #Mathematics #STEM #WomenInSTEM #Innovation #TechPioneers #SatelliteTechnology #Geodesy #Trailblazer #ScienceHeroes #Inspiration #fblifestyle

Not allowed to study engineering… so she taught herself and designed a U.S. Navy warship in just 19 hours. 🚢 Day 12: #BHM25 Meet Raye Montague, the Black woman whose brilliance revolutionized military technology—yet history almost erased her name. It’s time to give her the recognition she deserves. ⬇️ 🛳 Think “Hidden Figures” was only about NASA? What if I told you a Black woman revolutionized the U.S. Navy and changed the way warships are designed? 🛳 Most people have never heard of Raye Montague (1935–2018), but without her, the way America builds naval ships would be completely different. She was the first person—male or female—to design a naval warship using a computer, transforming military technology forever. The Woman Who Outsmarted the System As a young girl in Arkansas, Raye Montague dreamed of being an engineer—but she was barred from attending engineering school because she was Black and female. Instead of giving up, she taught herself computer programming and engineering on her own. 💡 Her Breakthrough Moment: ✅ In 1971, the U.S. Navy needed a new ship design in record time—a process that used to take years. ✅ Montague designed the first-ever U.S. Navy warship by computer—in just 19 hours and 26 minutes. ✅ This breakthrough changed how every modern warship is designed today. Little-Known Facts About Raye Montague 📌 She wasn’t allowed to touch the computers in her first job, so she would come in after hours to teach herself programming. 📌 She became the first woman to lead ship design for the U.S. Navy and held the title of Program Manager of the U.S. Navy's Ship Program. 📌 She developed systems that allowed the Navy to create faster, stronger, and more efficient ships, impacting national security and military operations worldwide. 📌 Even after breaking barriers, she was constantly overlooked for promotions—but she never let racism or sexism stop her. The Lasting Impact 📌 Her engineering techniques are still used in modern naval ship design today. 📌 She paved the way for Black engineers in the military and defense industries, where Black representation is still lacking. 📌 She proved that Black women could excel in STEM fields, even when the system tried to shut them out. What Would Raye Montague Say About Today’s Fight for Black Representation in STEM? 🔬 She would push for more Black women to enter STEM fields, knowing firsthand how difficult it is to break in. 🔬 She would fight for Black women in science and engineering to receive credit for their work, just as she had to battle for hers. 🔬 On Breaking Barriers – She would remind us that when doors are closed, we must find another way in. Raye Montague was a hidden figure in military history, but her impact shaped national security and shipbuilding worldwide. She proved that genius cannot be denied, even when the system tries to erase you. let’s give Raye Montague her flowers! 🔁 Repost this-honor a true “Hidden Figure” PS she is my BDAY TWIN 1/21 🎂

Imagine wanting to Double Dutch but having no one to turn the ropes. As an only child, this inspired engineer Tahira Reid Smith, Ph.D. to invent the robotic Double Dutch machine. Dr. Reid Smith first envisioned her automatic Double Dutch machine in third grade, even winning a contest for her idea. Years later, after studying mechanical engineering, she brought her childhood dream to life as a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Her invention was later featured in the Smithsonian’s Change Your Game exhibit. Today, Reid Smith continues to advocate for diverse voices in STEM, emphasizing that only 13% of global inventors are women—and even fewer are Black women. As someone who grew up jumping rope on the playground, I’m so inspired by Tahira Reid Smith’s innovation and creativity! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e47TcfTV #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWomenInSTEM #WomenEmpoweringWomenWednesday 🎥 : PBS

Black History Month — Tech Edition | Day 5 Today we highlight Annie Easley. Annie Easley worked at NASA’s Lewis Research Center on early supercomputers, propulsion systems, and battery technology—writing code that powered simulations where mistakes weren’t acceptable. Her work wasn’t theoretical. It was production computing at the edge of what machines could do at the time. What makes her legacy especially relevant to today’s enterprise IT professionals is where she operated: • Large-scale compute environments • Mission-critical simulations • Systems constrained by cost, performance, and physical limits Sound familiar? Modern enterprise teams face the same realities: • GPUs are expensive and finite • Power, cooling, and energy efficiency matter • Simulation, modeling, and forecasting drive real business outcomes Long before “AI infrastructure economics” was a conversation, Easley was living it—balancing compute capability, energy constraints, and operational risk. She also understood something we still relearn: Technology evolves faster than organizations—but people have to evolve with it. Easley famously helped colleagues retrain as systems modernized, reinforcing a truth enterprise IT still wrestles with today: Platforms change. Skills must follow. The takeaway for today’s generation of enterprise IT professionals: The future isn’t built by chasing the newest machine. It’s built by engineers who understand limits—and design responsibly within them. More tomorrow.