Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

Wow! That was my first reaction after reading Classified, Sorell’s and Donovan’s carefully-researched, thoughtfully-written, as well as carefully and sensitively illustrated biography of the stellar and impressive Mary Golda Ross. A Cherokee girl from northern Oklahoma, Ross drew on the traditions of her family and tribe, emerging to become an immensely accomplished aerospace engineer—a vanguard in what we know today as STEM—science technology, engineering and math. What an inspiring life!

There is no doubt that the indigeneity of the creators (Cherokee and Métis) is significant in the text’s exciting construction. In the opening double-page spread, we find a “Note on Cherokee Values”–paying homage to Cherokee values—the important lessons taught by “Cherokee families to their children across the generations.” These values, ways of being and knowing, were the foundation of Ross’ success in life and include: “gaining skills in all areas of life (both within and outside the classroom), working cooperatively with others, remaining humble when others recognize your talents, and helping ensure equal education and opportunity for all.” The creator’s words are complemented by a statement Ross made in 2008 when she stated, “I started with a firm foundation in mathematics and qualities that came down to me from my Indian heritage”, and a young Ross is shown walking while holding a pile of books in one hand and reading another in her other hand. The statement and the image are vital for the receivers/audience of the text—children and youth everywhere—but especially Indigenous ones—for whom Ross will undoubtedly be a mentor. Her proud acknowledgment of “Indian heritage” in her life and massive achievements is inspiring for all.

Classified is impressive in showing (the illustrations) and telling (the words/text)—superlative dual-coding! For instance, as the reader-viewer moves through the monograph, we see a teenaged Ross “puzzling out math equations with satisfaction, defying the popular notion of the 1920’s that “girls weren’t expected to enjoy or excel in math or science”, blazing “trails for girls”—even when boys “refused to sit next to the only girl in math class.” The biographical subject is depicted actively engaged in math, surrounded by peers and the tools of mathematics and science: equations, triangle, microscopes, test tubes, beakers, and flasks/glassware, etc.—contributing to the realism of Ross’ lived experiences and the education of readers.

In college, Ross quickly perceived that majoring in math would accelerate her pathway in an increasingly technical world. Later, she taught “math and science to high school students” –mentoring and modelling success to young people while seeking new ways to contribute to self, tribe and society. Donovan’s art compellingly and realistically captures these milestones.

Leaving home after college, the talented Ross caught the attention of the others in Washington DC and was, for instance, hired as the girls’ adviser at the “[B]ureau’s Indian Affairs co-ed boarding school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.” Ross “soon found that others outside the classroom needed her math and science knowledge.” Of note is the author’s reminder that, throughout Ross’ ascent, she was guided by “the Cherokee value of instructing in a gentle, thoughtful way”, and, along the way, she used such powerful cultural knowledge to encourage the “next generation of Pueblo and Navajo girls to learn and excel.”

The others that needed Ross included the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation where she “helped solve a design problem affecting the safe operation of the P-38 Lightning fighter, one of [their] fastest flying planes.” Ross “enjoyed her research”, dreamed of designing and building, “aircraft and spacecraft as an engineer.” This phase of Ross’ life is effectively represented by Donovan drawings. Ross is illustrated holding a slide rule under which are blueprints of aircraft, a book of formulas, and equations as she envisions novel, futuristic designs of spacecraft…making this the kind of book that will awaken and spur innumerable dreams…

Not surprisingly, Ross feared sexism. Yet, she was not daunted; knowing “she needed more training” and received it. Hence, she embraced the role of groundbreaker for Native-American girls and women and found acceptance from her male counterparts as “Lockheed’s first female engineer”—keeping in mind, and modelling “the Cherokee value of working together.”

In the postwar period, Ross was selected to be among “forty engineers in a supersecret work team—the Skunk Works Division”, tasked with taking the “theoretical and make it real”—creating aircraft that could fly “nonstop around Earth—with or without a pilot.” This section of the book will rouse the interests of youth readers with its abundance of math instruments—precision compass, air/spacecraft blueprints, pencils, triangles and the secret classified world of Mary Golda Ross. Like me, readers will be fascinated by learning about the Skunk Works Division’s research: orbiting satellites, designing concepts for space travel to Venus and Mars, and Ross’ critical work “that helped the Apollo space program send astronauts to the moon.”

As the biography closes, it centers the hands of the engineers, their design instruments—tools of the trade—and among them are Ross’, illustrating that her work was inspired by the Cherokee value of “humility”. Sorell writes, “Mary never bragged or drew attention to her skills …Whenever Mary received awards, she always thanked her colleagues because she knew no one person deserved credit for what everyone had done together.”

The last pages of this inspirational and gripping biography show Ross, who died in 2008, in a role that marked her life: “recruiting American Indians and young women to study math and science and helping them to become engineers.”

In sum, Classified is a superlative biography that deserves a place in every library! The storying of Ross’ life is done with language showing equal measures of appreciation, insight, reverence for Cherokee cultural values, and celebration. It is matched by illustrations and drawings that are technically, emotionally, and realistically executed. They are complementary as well as respectful of the life being illuminated. Classified’s additional strengths include a detailed timeline, author’s note, list of Cherokee values, and source notes. Welcome to fabulous nonfiction!