--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Katherine Johnson is a shining example of…" description: "\"Katherine Johnson is a shining example of what you can truly do with hard work and persistence. Under what had to be the most difficult of circumstance..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/jim-justice-6830_american-hero_katherine-johnson-is-a-shining-example-o_1382061.jpg" --- # Katherine Johnson is a shining example of what you can… ![“Katherine Johnson is a shining example of what you can truly do with hard work and persistence. Under what had to be the most difficult of circumstances she persevered and stuck to her values. She is a real West Virginia and American hero. To honor her legacy every August 26th, on her birthday, is…” quote by Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/jim-justice-6830_american-hero_katherine-johnson-is-a-shining-example-o_1382061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/jim-justice-6830_american-hero_katherine-johnson-is-a-shining-example-o_1382061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95d/jim-justice-6830_american-hero_katherine-johnson-is-a-shining-example-o_1382061.jpg) > “Katherine Johnson is a shining example of what you can truly do with hard work and persistence. Under what had to be the most difficult of circumstances she persevered and stuck to her values. She is a real West Virginia and American hero. To honor her legacy every August 26th, on her birthday, is the least we can do.” [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Katherine Johnson’s achievements demonstrate that perseverance and integrity enable extraordinary success despite severe adversity, inspiring celebration of her legacy. **In simple terms:** Hard work and values lead to great achievements. Key Takeaway Celebrate and emulate perseverance and integrity. Themes perseverance integrity legacy Mood inspirational respectful Type historical motivational When to use this quote - education - STEM mentorship - public recognition Key Concepts STEM role model history Questions to Reflect On - How can you honor her legacy in daily life? - What lessons from her life apply to your goals? A Different Perspective Her story may be less known; broader outreach needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [26Th Birthday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/26th-birthday-4791595/) [American hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-hero/) [Birthday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birthday/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Hard work and persistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work-and-persistence/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Honor Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor-legacy-1744903/) [Katherine Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/katherine-johnson/) [Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy/) [Legacy August](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy-august-4791594/) [West virginia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west-virginia/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [By taking care of our Gold Star Families, we honor the legacy of our service men and women, who gave their lives to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-youngkin/by-taking-care-of-our-gold-star-families-we-honor-the-legacy-of-our/) [Glenn Youngkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-youngkin/) > [The best way to honor the legacy of a person who's passed is to find a way to support the living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/the-best-way-to-honor-the-legacy-of-a-person-who-s-passed-is-to-find/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [In my case, I was representing my family name, honor, legacy... I did not see it as a sport requiring winning or losing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickson-gracie/in-my-case-i-was-representing-my-family-name-honor-legacy-i-did-not/) [Rickson Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickson-gracie/) > [An opportunity to honor the legacy of the lives drawn into the lines in my face, the broad of my nose, the dark of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisha-hinds/an-opportunity-to-honor-the-legacy-of-the-lives-drawn-into-the-lines/) [Aisha Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisha-hinds/) > [Every year, Black History Month presents an opportunity to honor the legacy, contributions, and rich history of Black Americans and how they have shaped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laphonza-butler/every-year-black-history-month-presents-an-opportunity-to-honor-the/) [Laphonza Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laphonza-butler/) > [“While we must always strive to grow beyond those who come before us, we must revere and learn from those that broke the ground…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-silber/while-we-must-always-strive-to-grow-beyond-those-who-come-before-us/) [Alexandra Silber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-silber/) > [Katherine Johnson never complained, it just was what it was. She just said, "I just wanted to go to work and do my numbers."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taraji-p-henson/katherine-johnson-never-complained-it-just-was-what-it-was-she-just/) [Taraji P. Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taraji-p-henson/) > [In my mind I'm like, "No, Katherine Johnson it was you. It was your mind alone that got John Glenn to orbit the earth."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taraji-p-henson/in-my-mind-i-m-like-no-katherine-johnson-it-was-you-it-was-your-mind/) [Taraji P. Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taraji-p-henson/) > [When you are portraying a person that is very real, in my case, Katherine Johnson is still alive, she is 98-years old; there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taraji-p-henson/when-you-are-portraying-a-person-that-is-very-real-in-my-case/) [Taraji P. Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taraji-p-henson/) > [“Katherine gave in to the wonder of the moment, imagining herself in the astronauts' place. What emotions welled up from the depths of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/katherine-gave-in-to-the-wonder-of-the-moment-imagining-herself-in/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [When I was growing up, no one ever said to me, "You cannot do math because you're a girl." But, there was an understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taraji-p-henson/when-i-was-growing-up-no-one-ever-said-to-me-you-cannot-do-math/) [Taraji P. Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taraji-p-henson/) > [My dad worked with Mary Jackson very closely at one point. I knew Katherine Johnson as well. They were all part of this group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/my-dad-worked-with-mary-jackson-very-closely-at-one-point-i-knew/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [I talked to Katherine Johnson, and I tried to make it weighty by asking things like, "How as a Black woman did you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taraji-p-henson/i-talked-to-katherine-johnson-and-i-tried-to-make-it-weighty-by/) [Taraji P. Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taraji-p-henson/) > [Katherine Johnson passion for math, the way I light up when I get asked questions about acting is the way her eyes danced when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taraji-p-henson/katherine-johnson-passion-for-math-the-way-i-light-up-when-i-get/) [Taraji P. Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taraji-p-henson/) > [Katherine Johnson actually integrated the public university in West Virginia. And Mary Jackson had to petition state courts to be allowed to attend an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/katherine-johnson-actually-integrated-the-public-university-in-west/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) ## More by Jim Justice > [To make our state operate more like a business, we must get a handle on all of our assets and liabilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/to-make-our-state-operate-more-like-a-business-we-must-get-a-handle/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Tourism is so important to our state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/tourism-is-so-important-to-our-state/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Protecting our wild and wonderful landscape is good for nature, good for tourism and good for West Virginia's economy and quality of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/protecting-our-wild-and-wonderful-landscape-is-good-for-nature-good/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [It is important to raise Autism Awareness, not only in April, but year round.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/it-is-important-to-raise-autism-awareness-not-only-in-april-but-year/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [We owe everything to our veterans because their sacrifice and service have made the United States the greatest country on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/we-owe-everything-to-our-veterans-because-their-sacrifice-and-service/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Our great state is filled with heroes from all walks of life who work on the front lines to keep our neighborhoods safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/our-great-state-is-filled-with-heroes-from-all-walks-of-life-who-work/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [All I want is greatness for West Virginia, and I'll work with anyone who is ready to help me turn this state around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/all-i-want-is-greatness-for-west-virginia-and-i-ll-work-with-anyone/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [By simplifying and streamlining the tax filing process it lifts a huge burden off of the middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/by-simplifying-and-streamlining-the-tax-filing-process-it-lifts-a/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Greyhounds are born runners, and I hope to keep them running in West Virginia for a very long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/greyhounds-are-born-runners-and-i-hope-to-keep-them-running-in-west/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [I know about trees. I know about how they eat all the carbon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/i-know-about-trees-i-know-about-how-they-eat-all-the-carbon/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [There are so many great things happening in West Virginia, and I will continue to work every day to move our state forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/there-are-so-many-great-things-happening-in-west-virginia-and-i-will/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Now, let me say this about education. I've said it till I'm blue-green. Not everybody is cut out for the traditional pathway of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/now-let-me-say-this-about-education-i-ve-said-it-till-i-m-blue-green/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Being Governor is a full-time responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/being-governor-is-a-full-time-responsibility/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [As a lifelong sportsman, I am proud to work with our state and federal partners to make elk restoration in West Virginia a success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/as-a-lifelong-sportsman-i-am-proud-to-work-with-our-state-and-federal/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [I fully support giving our veterans a tax break on military retirement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/i-fully-support-giving-our-veterans-a-tax-break-on-military-retirement/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) [Explore all 97 Jim Justice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) ## More American hero quotes > [“If there’s one genetic trait that automatically disqualifies a man from being able to rock, it’s curly hair. Nobody cool has curly hair; people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/if-there-s-one-genetic-trait-that-automatically-disqualifies-a-man/) [Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/) > [“AMERICAN HERO The man stepped right up, feet on top of a case of bottled beer. He placed his neck into a rope noose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-shields/american-hero-the-man-stepped-right-up-feet-on-top-of-a-case-of/) [Bill Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-shields/) > [“Come with me," he said quietly and extended his hand. "Nuh-uh." I shook my head, scooting in the opposite direction . "I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-saare/come-with-me-he-said-quietly-and-extended-his-hand-nuh-uh-i-shook-my/) [J.A. Saare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-saare/) > [Probably we'll think of Bush in years to come as an American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-franks/probably-we-ll-think-of-bush-in-years-to-come-as-an-american-hero/) [Tommy Franks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-franks/) > [Mack Bolan is a classic American hero. Readers like him and I feel very good about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-pendleton/mack-bolan-is-a-classic-american-hero-readers-like-him-and-i-feel/) [Don Pendleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-pendleton/) > [I think people feel threatened by homosexuality. The problem isn't about gay people, the problem is about the attitude towards gay people. People think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hollis-stacy/i-think-people-feel-threatened-by-homosexuality-the-problem-isn-t/) [Hollis Stacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hollis-stacy/) > [“Huzzah! Free Trade and Sailors' Rights! But instead American ships are captured and sailors impressed by the thousands into the British Navy, becoming slaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-j-hubinger/huzzah-free-trade-and-sailors-rights-but-instead-american-ships-are/) [Bert J. Hubinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-j-hubinger/) > [ I know Rick \[Monday\] has done a lot of good things as a player and as a person. But what he did for his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-mota/i-know-rick-monday-has-done-a-lot-of-good-things-as-a-player-and-as-a/) [Manny Mota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-mota/) > [Petraeus is the finest general I have ever worked for; Holly Petraeus is a great American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/petraeus-is-the-finest-general-i-have-ever-worked-for-holly-petraeus/) [William H. 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He is an American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/dr-martin-luther-king-is-not-a-black-hero-he-is-an-american-hero/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [She was in a difficult position being the widow of a great American hero, a role that carried high expectations but she did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-dees/she-was-in-a-difficult-position-being-the-widow-of-a-great-american/) [Morris Dees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-dees/) > [FEARLESS is a vivid account of one man's journey from all-American boy to all-American hero. 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