It was a significant day at NASA's Johnson Space Center as they paid homage to a pioneer in their past, Dorothy Vaughan, and the many women whose contributions were vital to the success of the Apollo missions. Celebrating one day before the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the center renamed “Building 12” to the “Dorothy Vaughan Center in Honor of the Women of Apollo,” according to an article by the NASA website. The event kicked off with discussions, performances, and a panel delving into the profound impact these women had on space exploration, looking back at Vaughan and her colleagues' essential roles in advancing NASA's lunar landing program and pointing toward their significance in today's endeavors, such as the Artemis campaign.
The ceremony featured a diverse lineup of speakers including NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Barrios Technology CEO Sandy Johnson, and other prominent figures these women, sharing insights on the wide-ranging impact of Vaughan and her peers on spaceflight and the agency's trajectory, not to mention the pivotal shifts they enabled in the landscape of workforce diversity within space-related work, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. The festivities also included a poetry reading by acclaimed actress Phylicia Rashad, who read from Vivian Ayers Allen's "Hawk," a poem penned in 1957 that touches on themes of space flight and freedom.
Dorothy Vaughan's story, which includes her notable role as NASA's first African American manager, was previously brought to public attention in the film "Hidden Figures," but now it gains a further layer of permanence with this dedication. Heavily in collaboration with the women of the Apollo missions, Vaughan was a pivotal advocate for her team of human computers at NASA, a legacy emphasized during the dedication - where it was said, it’s a privilege to dedicate Johnson’s Building 12 to the innovative women who laid the foundation to our nation’s space program, echoing NASA Johnson director Vanessa Wyche's sentiments during the ceremonies.
Heather Vaughan-Batten, Dorothy Vaughan's granddaughter, reflected on her grandmother’s humble nature and her tendency to share the recognition with her team, in a sentiment echoed by her statement to the Houston Chronicle, "She would have said, 'Let's focus on the women of the Apollo,'" further emphasizing this dedication is not only about her grandmother but also about the whole group of women who were instrumental in NASA's early days. Vaughan-Batten, who was not present during her grandmother’s tenure at NASA, expressed that she's still gaining a deep understanding of Vaughan's monumental footprint in the landscape of space exploration.
This event, as detailed by the NASA announcement, wasn't just an act of remembrance but a marker for the present and future, as expressed by Brian Odom, NASA chief historian highlighting the value in recognizing previously uncelebrated contributions and enabling current and future generations to identify with these trailblazers, demonstrating the agency's commitment to acknowledging and building upon the diverse heritage of excellence in its ranks.
