NASA's Katherine Johnson Honored With Statue, Scholarship On 100th Birthday

West Virginia State University honored NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson s 100th birthday with a statue and scholarship dedication over the weekend.

Hundreds of people including 75 of Johnsons children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the event honoring the woman who was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the 2016 film Hidden Figures , according to the West Virginia Gazette . The bronze statue of Johnson was unveiled Saturday, one day before she turned 100.

Today the University community gathered to dedicate a statue and scholarship in honor of our amazing alum Katherine Johnson. The statue will serve as a source of inspiration to current and future students of all that is possible through dedication, hard work and perseverance. pic.twitter.com/iFOqxnr1eH

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Today the University community gathered to dedicate a statue and scholarship in honor of our amazing alum Katherine Johnson. The statue will serve as a source of inspiration to current and future students of all that is possible through dedication, hard work and perseverance. pic.twitter.com/iFOqxnr1eH
WV State University (@WVStateU) August 25, 2018

The scholarship in Johnsons name was awarded to freshmen Jasiaha Daniels and Alexis Scudero, both of whom are studying in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

What makes Katherine so extraordinary is she not only prevailed while segregation failed, Dr. Johnson has continued to persevere and thrive with the gracious poise and clarity that defies mere words of explanation, let alone definition, said Dr. Yvonne Cagle, the keynote speaker at the ceremony and the space and life sciences directorate at the Johnson Space Center.

Johnson started attending WSVU when she was 14 because she wasnt able to receive further education in Greenbrier County. She graduated from the university in 1937 with degrees in both mathematics and French, then went on to pursue graduate studies at the institution.