Chapter 1: Early Beginnings

On a sunny day in August 1933, Judith Cohen entered the world in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age, she displayed a natural aptitude for mathematics, with her father introducing her to geometric concepts using household items like ashtrays. By fifth grade, her classmates were reportedly paying her to complete their math assignments. However, as the 1940s unfolded, the opportunities for girls in STEM fields were severely limited.

Fortunately, a pivotal moment inspired her. Judith recalled, “The only time I saw a woman doing anything interesting — I had a math teacher who was a woman. So I decided, OK, I’ll be a math teacher.”

In high school, she earned a state scholarship to attend Brooklyn College, determined to pursue her dream of becoming a math educator. Yet, despite this significant achievement, her guidance counselor suggested that she attend a finishing school to learn how to be a lady. Nevertheless, she continued on her path to Brooklyn College.

During the day, she shifted her focus to engineering and, by night, danced with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. She also fell in love and got married. What an eventful couple of years!

Chapter 2: A New Chapter in California

Shortly thereafter, Judith and her husband relocated to California, where she transitioned from a double life to a triple one. Over the next decade, she welcomed three of her four children. By day, she worked as a junior engineer for North American Aviation, while at night, she immersed herself in her studies, ultimately earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from USC by 1962.

Judith later remarked that she didn’t share a single class with another female engineering student — a sobering realization. Her career took off at Space Technology Laboratories (STL), where she remained until her retirement in 1990. Her projects included the guidance computer for Minuteman missiles and the Abort-Guidance System for the Apollo Lunar Modules.

Chapter 3: The Apollo 13 Mission

The Apollo 13 mission, launched on April 11, 1970, aimed to be the third lunar landing. The spacecraft comprised the Command Module and the Lunar Module. However, two days into the mission, disaster struck when an oxygen tank exploded, damaging the power system and placing the crew's lives in jeopardy.

To survive, they used the Lunar Module, initially designed for two astronauts on the moon, as a lifeboat, modifying it to support three astronauts for four uncomfortable days. Mission control had to devise a new trajectory to return home safely, and the Abort-Guidance System, partly developed by Judith, played a crucial role in their safe return to Earth on April 17, 1970.

Description: Explore the incredible rescue mission of Apollo 13, highlighting the challenges faced and the innovation that saved the crew.

Description: Discover how Mission Control's quick thinking and Judith's contributions were pivotal in saving the Apollo 13 astronauts.

Chapter 4: A New Purpose After Retirement

After stepping back from her primary career, Judith turned her attention to writing. Motivated by the lack of female role models in STEM during her youth, she, along with her third husband David Katz, established a publishing company named Cascade Pass. They released two popular children's book series that inspired girls worldwide to pursue careers in science, selling over 100,000 copies and earning Judith the 2014 IEEE-USA Distinguished Literary Contributions Award.

Chapter 5: A Legacy of Dedication

In 1969, Judith welcomed her fourth child, Thomas Jacob Black, exemplifying her incredible work ethic. Her other son, Neil, a well-known computer scientist, recounted how, during Thomas’s birth, she brought along a computer printout of a problem she was solving. Later that day, she informed her boss that she had cracked the problem — and oh, by the way, she also had a baby!

This child became Jack Black, the famous musician and actor known for his humor. Judith was indeed a pioneer, especially as a woman in the aerospace industry. Judith Love Cohen passed away in 2016 after a battle with cancer, at the age of 82.

She truly earned her place among the stars.