Success can be defined as a result of diligence, determination, and talent. However, history proves that for many individuals, success was achieved through the struggle in different conditions. Rules, demands, and opportunities were defined by the individual who aimed at achieving them. The words of Mary Jackson, “Every time we get a chance to get ahead, they move the finish line,” reflect the feeling of struggling against all odds of life and making efforts to become successful even in such difficult conditions.Mary Jackson (1921-2005) was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer known for being Nasa’s first Black woman engineer. Living in times of segregation and racial discrimination, Mary Jackson managed to achieve great successes in education and engineering, contributing to the success of future generations of women and minorities in STEM disciplines.
Quote of the day by Mary Jackson
“Every time we get a chance to get ahead, they move the finish line”
What does this quote by Mary Jackson mean
What Jackson’s quote illustrates is the fact that not everyone just has the problem of the task ahead of him. Sometimes things become even more difficult because there are new standards and barriers which get in the way of success. What Jackson points out is that sometimes inequality takes place not in a system that is clearly defined, but rather in a system that keeps changing the circumstances for those affected by it.
Persistence is crucial even when the odds keep changing
Going through many different obstacles can make one feel like giving up on the effort completely. However, there have been many people who have achieved their goals even when there were ever-changing obstacles in their way. They achieved their dreams and their accomplishments mattered not because they had easy obstacles to overcome, but because they did not give up when things got harder for them.
Progress is measured by more than personal success
Breaking down barriers opens up possibilities for others too. Each individual who struggles against unjust systems makes it easier for others to pursue their dreams and not have to deal with the same constraints. Social change does not occur when an individual is successful on his own, but rather occurs as people keep questioning and trying to improve systems that exclude others. The message by Jackson should inspire us to see that changes make a better world not only for oneself, but for future generations as well.
Being equal means having an equal opportunity
Equality should not mean lowering expectations and guaranteeing equal results. Equality means being sure that the same standard will apply to everyone in everything. In education, at work or in public life, people feel comfortable and give their best performance when they know that they will be evaluated based on their skills and abilities and not due to any prejudice or outside conditions.
Why this quote still matters today
While several barriers faced by Mary Jackson may have been questioned and even broken down, there remain inequalities in terms of opportunities, not only in the United States, but also worldwide. Equal access to education, to jobs, to leadership, and to any other resources remains an issue for some people who keep struggling against those barriers that are invisible to others. Her words push people to think about what lies beyond the success and achievements of individuals. Her lasting message is that true success is not only about making it to the finish line, but about keeping the finish line in the same place for all future participants.
