John Ross was influential in the creation of the new settlement in Oklahoma following the removal of Native Americans from their land under Andrew Jackson.

[8] A talented child, she was sent to live with her grandparents in the Cherokee Nation capital of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to attend primary and secondary school.

[5][4] Ross began her career teaching math and science in rural Oklahoma schools for nine years, mostly during the Great Depression.

[12] In 1936, Ross took the civil service examination to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Washington, D.C., as a statistical clerk.

[5] A few years after obtaining her Master's degree, Ross relocated to California in 1941 to seek work after the US joined World War II.

[12] Ross was able to perform intricate calculations to advance the field of aerospace design using only a pencil, slide rule, and Friden computer.

[17] Ross played an important role in research and performance evaluation of ballistic missiles and other new defense technologies for this new branch.

It was also during this time that Ross made important discoveries for advancing technology related to submarine launched spacecraft and defense systems that would apply to the Polaris project.

The Agena rocket was a big part of the Gemini mission, which was a manned space exploration aimed towards testing equipment and various procedures while in Earth's orbit.

[4][16] After retiring in 1973, Ross lived in Los Altos, California[21] and worked to recruit young women and Native American youth into engineering careers.

[17] She also supported the American Indians in Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Council of Energy Resource Tribes by expanding their educational programs.