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Nancy Grace Roman, shown here at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in approximately 1972, was the first female executive and the first Chief of Astronomy at NASA

Learn about Nancy Grace Roman, her contribution to NASA missions, and how NASA has honored her.

The original prototypes of the LEGO® Ideas "Women of NASA" set displayed in front of the Apollo Lunar Module in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, August 20, 2018. Credit: National Air and Space Museum

Nancy Grace Roman, standing here in front of a 1/6-scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, is known to many as the "Mother of Hubble" for her foundational role in the observatory's planning and program structure, paving the way for missions like the Roman Space Telescope (formerly WFIRST).

Dr. Nancy Grace Roman visits James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Hubble Project Team.

Dr. Nancy Grace Roman visits James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Hubble Project Team.

NASA's Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate Dr. Edward J. Weiler presents the Women in Aerospace's Lifetime Achievement Award to retired NASA chief astronomer Nancy Grace Roman at the organization's annual awards ceremony and banquet held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. Four current NASA leaders and one retiree were recognized for their work by Women in Aerospace. The event celebrates women's professional excellence in aerospace and honors women who have made outstanding contributions to the aerospace community. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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Artwork of Nancy Grace Roman and Vera C. Rubin.

Developed for a social media campaign during Women's History Month by STScI and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

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Artwork of Nancy Grace Roman and Vera C. Rubin.

Sized for Facebook posts.

Developed for a social media campaign during Women's History Month by STScI and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

The history of women's contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is long and varied. But it has also often been overlooked or underrepresented. This series highlights only a very few of the women who have made important discoveries and have had a crucial impact on STEM fields. This, however, is not just a look into the past. Today, women are in every STEM discipline, in every type of job, and represent the widest range of background and experiences.

Download the free poster set to use in your space

Nancy with a model of an Orbiting Solar Observatory.