Barbara Canright
Personal Information
Born: 1919
Died: 1997
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Math classes at Miami University of Ohio; Occidental College 1940
"TBD"
— Barbara Canright
Professional Life
Field of Study: Mathematics
Institution/Corporation: JPL
Degrees & Memberships: None found
Awards & Achievements
Awards: None found
Achievements: 1st female mathematician at NASA's JPL; instrumental in calculating the thrust-to-weight ratio for performance of engines under various conditions & the potential of rocket propellant which was used by the US Navy
1st human computer hired by JPL in 1939
had to resign in 1943 when she was pregnant with her 1st child because there was no such thing as maternity leave
little is known of her life after resigning from JPL except she was a full-time mother raising 4 children
she & co-workers Melba Nead, Virginia Prettyman & Macie Roberts were dubbed "the rocket girls" in 1942
is the subject of the 1st chapter of Nathalia Holt's book "Rise of the Rocket girls: the women Who Propelled Us, From Missiles to the Moon to Mars" published in 2016