Mary Golda Ross

One of the 40 founding engineers of the renowned and highly secretive Skunk Works project, Ross made her mark at the Lockheed Corporation, where she worked from 1942 until her retirement in 1973. A Cherokee aerospace engineer, she is best remembered for her contributions to aerospace design during her time there.

Ross was also dedicated throughout her life to advancing young women and Native Americans in STEM fields. Ten years after her death, in 2018, she was chosen to be depicted on the 2019 Native American $1 Coin by the U.S. Mint, honoring Native Americans in the space program.