The Story of Dorothy J. Vaughan: A NASA Hidden Figure (Narration by Octavia Spencer)

Dorothy J. Vaughan was a trailblazing human computer and visionary who played a crucial role in fostering a diverse workforce at NASA.

She began her career in 1943 with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) as part of the segregated West Area Computing Unit, a group of all-Black female mathematicians. Their pioneering work and significant contributions left a lasting impact on the NASA community.

In 1949, Vaughan became the first Black supervisor at NACA when she was promoted to lead the West Area Computers. She was one of the few female supervisors and was a strong advocate for the women who worked as human computers and for everyone under her leadership.

Vaughan led West Computing for nearly a decade. When NACA transitioned to NASA in 1958, segregated facilities, including the West Computing office, were abolished. Vaughan, along with many of the former West Computers, joined the newly formed Analysis and Computation Division (ACD), a racially and gender-integrated group pioneering electronic computing. She became an expert in FORTRAN programming and contributed to the Scout Launch Vehicle Program.

Dorothy Vaughan’s exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing opportunities for all, especially women of color, helped shape NASA’s diverse workforce. Her legacy is a foundation for NASA’s current missions, including the Artemis program, which will see the first woman and first person of color return to the Moon.