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![Tease photo](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2015/11/20/Katherine_Johnson_clip_r100x80.jpg?144a9619b7b2d55e12d8b619b3e5adb91a2095fa)
Va. pioneer to receive Medal of Freedom
97-year-old NASA mathematician headed to White House for highest civilian honor
Former NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson could not have calculated her trajectory to the White House. The 97-year-old Newport News resident will be among 17 Americans receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor — at the White House on Tuesday, Nov. 24.