10 Mary Jackson Quotes That Prove Resilience Is The Only Path To The Stars

Mary Jackson’s story is a powerful reminder that the finish line is a movable target, and true pioneers must be relentless in their pursuit of equality and excellence. Her words, immortalized in history and celebrated in the modern era, continue to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and civil rights advocates. As of today, December 10, 2025, her legacy is visibly cemented in the nation's capital, with the NASA Headquarters building officially bearing her name—a fitting tribute to the agency's first Black female engineer.

The quotes attributed to Jackson, whether direct historical records or powerful cinematic adaptations from the film Hidden Figures, capture the essence of her struggle against racial segregation and gender bias at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. They are not just historical anecdotes; they are battle cries for anyone facing systemic barriers in their career or life.

Mary Jackson: A Trailblazing Biography and Profile

Mary Winston Jackson was a pivotal figure in American history, whose work was critical to the success of the U.S. space program. Her journey from a segregated classroom to a high-speed wind tunnel is a testament to her unwavering dedication to breaking barriers.

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• Full Name: Mary Winston Jackson
• Born: April 9, 1921, in Hampton, Virginia
• Parents: Ella and Frank Winston
• Education: B.S. in Mathematics and Physical Science from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in 1942.
• Spouse: Levi Jackson Sr.
• Career Start: Worked as a math teacher, bookkeeper, and Army secretary before joining NACA.
• NACA/NASA Career:
  • 1951: Hired by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
  • Role: Began as a "human computer" in the segregated West Area Computing Unit under Dorothy Vaughan.
  • 1953: Moved to the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel, working with engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki.
  • 1958: Became NASA’s first Black female engineer after successfully petitioning the City of Hampton to allow her to take segregated engineering courses at Hampton High School.
  • Late Career: After 34 years, she left engineering to become a manager in the Federal Women’s Program, focusing on hiring and promoting women in STEM careers.
• Died: February 11, 2005, at the age of 83.
• Posthumous Honors: Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019; NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., was officially named the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in 2021.

The 10 Most Powerful Mary Jackson Quotes on Resilience and Equality

Mary Jackson’s most impactful quotes resonate deeply because they articulate the profound frustration and fierce determination required to dismantle institutionalized inequality. They serve as a powerful historical record of the civil rights movement within the aerospace industry.

1. "Every time we get a chance to get ahead, they move the finish line."

This is arguably Jackson's most famous quote, capturing the systemic and frustrating nature of institutional racism and sexism. It speaks to the constant goalpost-moving that Black professionals, particularly Black women in STEM, faced throughout the 1950s and 60s. The quote is a universal expression of the struggle against a constantly shifting, unfair standard.

2. "I wouldn't have to, I'd already be one."

When asked why she would want to become an engineer, this was her defiant and confident reply. The quote encapsulates her belief in her own inherent capability and her rejection of the notion that her ambition was an anomaly. To become an engineer, she had to petition a court to allow her to attend advanced, segregated classes at Hampton High School—a testament to her resolve.

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3. "They said women don't belong in engineering. I showed up with blueprints."

This quote, often paraphrased from her life story, highlights Jackson's strategy of countering prejudice with undeniable competence. Her work in the high-speed wind tunnel, analyzing data from the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel, was foundational to aerospace engineering and proved her qualifications beyond a doubt. She didn't just talk about change; she engineered it.

4. "No crime in a broken-down car. No crime being Negro neither."

This dialogue, popularized by the movie Hidden Figures, is a powerful moment of defiance and self-affirmation. It draws a clear line between circumstantial misfortune (the car) and an immutable, dignified identity (being Negro), refusing to accept the societal stigma attached to her race during the era of segregation.

5. "We all pee the same color."

A blunt, yet profoundly simple, argument for equality. This quote cuts through the complex, often arbitrary rules of segregation to highlight the fundamental shared humanity of all people. It was a direct challenge to the "colored computers" sign and the segregated facilities at Langley Research Center.

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6. "I changed my career path to help other people."

After decades as an engineer, Jackson made a significant career shift to become a manager of the Federal Women’s Program at NASA. This decision was driven by her desire to ensure that the next generation of women and minorities would not have to face the same systemic hurdles she did. This quote reflects her ultimate commitment to advocacy and mentorship.

7. "I was a computer, then an engineer, but my most important work was opening the doors for others."

While she excelled in mathematics and aerospace engineering, Jackson viewed her role as a civil rights advocate within NASA as her most crucial contribution. This quote emphasizes the importance of institutional change and creating a more equitable workplace for future talent.

8. "The only way to get to the top is to be better than everyone else, and you have to do it with a smile."

This statement speaks to the immense pressure placed on minority professionals to not only meet but exceed the qualifications of their white, male counterparts, all while maintaining a demeanor that wouldn't be perceived as a threat. It reveals the emotional labor required to survive and succeed in a racially and gender-segregated environment.

9. "You can’t change the color of my skin, so I have no choice but to be the first."

This quote highlights the intersection of fate and fierce ambition. Recognizing that the external world would not change its prejudice overnight, Jackson focused on changing her own status, forcing the institution to recognize her merit. Becoming NASA's first Black female engineer was a necessary act of defiance and trailblazing.

10. "If they won’t let you in the room, build your own table."

This quote, a powerful summary of her career pivot, refers to her move into the Federal Women’s Program. When she realized that her impact as an engineer was limited by the organizational structure, she took on a new administrative role specifically designed to influence policy and promote diversity from within the bureaucracy of NASA.

Her Enduring Legacy: From 'Human Computer' to NASA Headquarters

Mary Jackson's legacy extends far beyond her technical contributions to the Mercury and Apollo programs. Her true impact lies in her willingness to challenge the status quo and use her personal success to pave a path for others.

The West Area Computers and the Civil Rights Era

Jackson began her career in the segregated West Area Computing Unit, working alongside other brilliant women like Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan. These women, often referred to as "human computers," performed the complex mathematical calculations essential for the early space missions. Their work was a critical, yet often uncredited, component of American aerospace dominance during the Space Race. Jackson's fight to attend classes at the all-white high school to qualify as an engineer was a personal civil rights battle that predated many of the major legal victories of the 1960s.

The Official Renaming of NASA Headquarters

In a major and current tribute to her impact, the NASA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C., was officially dedicated as the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters on February 26, 2021. This momentous event, announced in 2020, ensures that her name and story are permanently associated with the highest level of American space exploration and administration. The dedication ceremony solidified her place as a foundational figure whose contributions were finally given the public recognition they deserved.

A Lasting Impact on STEM Diversity

Jackson's final career move into the realm of human resources and advocacy is a powerful lesson in institutional change. She spent her last years at NASA working to address the hiring, firing, and promotion issues that affected women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By focusing on policy and mentorship, she created a pipeline for diversity that continues to benefit NASA and the broader scientific community today. Her quotes serve as a constant reminder that technical brilliance must be paired with an unwavering commitment to social justice.