Frances "Poppy" Northcutt

*Frances "Poppy" Northcutt is a trailblazing mathematician, engineer, and women’s rights activist best known for her groundbreaking work with NASA during the Apollo space program. Born in Texas, Northcutt studied mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin. She began her career at TRW, a NASA contractor, where she became the first woman to work as an engineer in NASA's Mission Control. Her contributions as a return-to-Earth specialist were critical in calculating the re-entry trajectories for Apollo missions, including the successful recovery of Apollo 13 after its infamous in-flight crisis. She has been featured in magazine and newspaper articles and in documentaries about the space program, including the PBS programs “Makers,” “NOVA”, and “Chasing the Moon.”

Northcutt's achievements shattered gender barriers in a male-dominated field, making her an early role model for women in STEM. After her time with NASA, she transitioned to law, earning a degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She has since become a vocal advocate for women’s rights, focusing on issues like reproductive freedom and gender equality. Today, in her early eighties, Northcutt is an election judge and sometimes criminal defense attorney. She also serves as a referral lawyer for Jane's Due Process, which provides legal services for pregnant teenagers, and is a NOW activist in Texas, where she focuses on organizing voter registration, education projects and reproductive rights actions.

Throughout her career, Northcutt has received numerous accolades for her pioneering work and activism. She continues to inspire future generations, speaking about her experiences in space exploration and her ongoing efforts to advance social justice.