Katherine Johnson Hidden Figure Essay

The smallest of details are often the ones that can capture the life of an astonishing person onto paper, canvas, or film. The detailed shots of these devoted people are crucial for us to pinpoint in order to get the full picture of their role in society. Professor Espana pointed out that she looks up to the brilliant Katherine Johnson, an African American woman who, along with her fellow human computer friend’s broke barriers while working at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. Throughout the life of Professor Espana, she unknowingly embodies the character Katherine Johnson in the film “Hidden Figures” by her outstanding contributions in showing generations of young people they can excel

In her home in Chicago, there was a compass shaped painting on her living room floor, she used this platform as her stage and gathered her siblings to teach them math. She drew geometric shapes with vibrant markers on her small whiteboard to show the beauty of mathematics. As she illustrated these intricate geometric shapes it became a simple yet utterly striking work of art. Her imaginary classroom was the stepping stone that brought forth joy, eagerness, and yearning to become an influential math teacher. As a first-generation college student, Professor Espana attended Miami Dade College where she was competing amongst students who were already fluent in academic terminology and culture. When life became a bit challenging Professor Espana once again became creative. She sketched her actions before committing them. She was highly creative and goal-oriented these attributes allowed her to prevail. She noticed her love for mathematics was fueling when she took analytic geometry. The meticulous way in which mathematicians have manipulated algebraic equations and geometric shapes by putting them together encouraged her to take a risk too. She then decided, to change her major from elementary to secondary education in mathematics. While, being a part-time teacher at Miami Dade College she urged her boss for a full-time job as a professor. In order for her to be