Katherine was born on August 26th, 1928, in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She had a strong passion for numbers even as a little girl. Her intelligence landed her several grades ahead in school. When she reached age 13, Katherine attended high school on the campus of Historically Black West Virginia State College. At 18, she enrolled in college and made lots of progress in the math program.

    Everyday, Katherine was the best person she could be. As Katherine says, “I’m always interested in learning something new.” In 1937 she graduated with highest honors from college and took a job teaching at a black public school in Virginia. In 1939, West Virginia decided to integrate it’s graduate schools so that people of all races could attend. Katherine and two other males were offered the first spots.