Mary Golda Ross’ high school math teacher was a fellow member of the Cherokee Nation and helped her feel a sense of belonging as someone who loved and excelled in math. By 1949, she became the first Native American woman to receive professional certification as an engineer. She grew up in the Cherokee Nation capital of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, an experience she credits with much of her success. After teaching for many years, Mary worked on improving fighter jet technology during World War II and also worked on some of the most important and top secret aerospace technologies during the Cold War. Later in life, she threw herself into supporting Native American science and engineering students at all education levels.
