Four pioneering Black women received Congressional Gold Medals for their contributions to early efforts at space exploration during a formal ceremony at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday.

On Sept. 18, a historic moment unfolded as a group of Black female scientists and mathematicians — known as NASA’s "Hidden Figures" — were awarded

Hosted by the Speaker, the ceremony brought together other representatives and senators, NASA officials and the families of Johnson, Jackson, Vaughan and Darden in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol in Washington. (Darden watched live from her home in Connecticut.)