The 2016 best-seller "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly, which inspired the hit 20th Century Fox movie of the same name, features the lives of groundbreaking African-American women who overcame segregation and discrimination in the 1960s to play integral roles in the space program throughout their careers.
Dr. Christine Darden is featured in Shetterly's book—she
was hired at NASA in 1967 as a Computer/Data Analyst, and over the course of
her career became the first African-American woman promoted into the Senior
Executive Service at the NASA Langley Research Center. Darden is from the small
town of Monroe, North Carolina and earned her high school degree from the Allen
School in Asheville, North Carolina.
On January 11, 2018, Darden will address the Asheville
School community at 7:15 p.m. in the Walker Arts Center. Her talk, "From
Monroe, N.C. to NASA," is free and open to the public. Reserved seating is
required.<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-christine-darden-from-monroe-nc-to-nasa-tickets-40035954618>
Darden will discuss her life and NASA career. She was
born in Monroe, the youngest of five children, and went on to earn a Bachelor
of Science in Mathematics Education from Hampton University, a Master of
Science in Applied Mathematics from Virginia State University, and a Doctor of
Science in Mechanical Engineering from George Washington University.
After joining NASA as a Computer/Data Analyst, Darden
served as the Director of the Aero Performing Center Program Management Office,
as Senior Program Manager in the High-Speed Research Program Office, as the
Langley Assistant Director for Planning, and at her retirement, was the
Director of the Office of Strategic Communications and Education Branch. During
her career, Darden authored over 57 technical papers and articles and was an
internationally recognized expert in high-speed aerodynamics and sonic boom
research.
Darden has earned numerous recognitions, including two
NASA Medals--one for her work and leadership of the Sonic Boom Program, and the
other for her active involvement in working with and encouraging students to
pursue careers in math and science. She has also received the Black Engineer of
the Year Outstanding Achievement in Government Award and the Women in Science
and Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2012, Darden was awarded an
Honorary Doctorate Degree from Old Dominion University.
Join the Asheville School community to hear from Darden
on Thursday, January 11, in the Walker Arts Center's Graham Theater at 7:15
p.m. The talk is free and open to the public, and tickets are required. Reserve
your tickets here.<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-christine-darden-from-monroe-nc-to-nasa-tickets-40035954618>
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