Mary Golda Ross was the first Native American female engineer, known for her contributions to interplanetary space travel and earth-orbiting satellites. Born in Oklahoma, Ms. Ross was the great-granddaughter of the Cherokee Chief John Ross and she graduated from Northeastern State Teachers' College in Tahlequah with a degree in mathematics before receiving her master's in 1938. Ms. Ross taught math and science in rural Oklahoma schools for nine years before moving to California to work for Lockheed Martin where she made an indelible impact on our country's space program. After retiring in 1973, Ross spent her time encouraging young women and Native American youth to explore engineering careers.