Answer:
Not only because of her contributions to the space program and NASA achievements after her research which has helped to complete and solve aeronautical science issues ever since, but also as an inspiration for slave descendants in America up until these days, being a role model and an example of greatness since her activism opened opportunities for many other women in her community, favoring the disegregation of the defense industry and federal agencies enacted by FDR around 1941 and enphasized by JFK in 1949.
We also benefit from her contributions today thanks to her work on the Scout Launch Vehicle Program which paved the way to lauch satellites into orbit around earth.