18 Facts About Christine Darden

Christine Darden earned a DSc in Mechanical Engineering at George Washington University in 1983 and has published numerous articles in her field.

Christine Darden was the first African-American woman at NASA's Langley Research Center to be promoted to the Senior Executive Service, the top rank in the federal civil service.

Christine Darden finished her last two years of primary school at Allen High School, a boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina.

Christine Darden graduated as the class valedictorian in 1958, subsequently receiving a scholarship to attend Hampton University, a historically black college then known as Hampton Institute.

Christine Darden participated in several student sit-ins alongside her other Black peers.

Christine Darden earned a teaching certification, and taught high school mathematics for a brief time.

Christine Darden started in the "computer pool", performing calculations as a computer for engineers.

Christine Darden began automating the process by writing computer programs.

In 1989, Christine Darden was appointed as leader of the Sonic Boom Team, a subsidiary of the High Speed Research Program.

Christine Darden's team tested new wing and nose designs for supersonic aircraft.

Christine Darden designed a computer program to simulate sonic booms.

Christine Darden left the computer pool in 1989 for a position as engineer, working on decreasing sonic boom in supersonic flight.

In March 2007, Christine Darden retired from NASA as director of the Office of Strategic Communication and Education.

Christine Darden received a Candace Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in 1987.

Christine Darden received three Certificates of Outstanding Performance from Langley Research Center: in 1989,1991, and 1992.

Christine Darden received an honorary degree from North Carolina State University on December 19,2018.

Christine Darden received an honorary degree from the George Washington University on May 19,2019.

Christine Darden delivered the Christine Darden Lecture at MathFest 2021.