On Sept. 18, a historic moment unfolded as a group of Black female scientists and mathematicians — known as NASA’s "Hidden Figures" — were awarded

NASA Administrator Nelson described while presenting the awards, “The pioneers that we honor today, these Hidden Figures — their courage and imagination brought us to the Moon. And their lessons, their legacy, will send us back to the Moon and then, imagine, just imagine, when we leave our footprints on the red sands of Mars.”

Four pioneering Black women received Congressional Gold Medals for their contributions to early efforts at space exploration during a formal ceremony at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday.