Photograph taken on February 5, 1975. Guests attending a retirement party for Vernon Courtney, of the MSD Communications Section.  Mary Jackson standing on left with human computer Christine B. Richie next to her, another from the west computers group mentioned in the book "Hidden Figures" by author Margot Lee Shetterly.  Mary Jackson from NASA Langley was NASA' s first African-American female engineer, and subsequent career supporting the hiring and promotion of other deserving female and minority employees.
Retirement Party for Vernon Courtney with Guests Mary Jackson
Seated from From Left: Katherine G Johnson, Lawrence W Brown, and J Norwood Evans, Employment Officer. Standing from Left: John J Cox, secretary; and Edward T Maher, chairman. Absent when picture was taken: Vernon S Courtney. Members are shown as they review the Center's Affirmative Action Program. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Personnel Division and Center management officials and seeks to explore realistic approaches to accomplishment of the objectives of the Affirmative Action program.
Meeting of Equal Employment Opportunity Committee