In the mid-1930s, Langley began hiring female, or “girl,” mathematicians to compute numbers using adding machines and to solve equations using pencil and paper. It was part of the effort to power America’s fledgling aeronautical sector. NACA was established at the end of the First World War in 1917 on the campus of Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. The US National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) was the forerunner of NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Students will be introduced to (1) a unique and fascinating episode in American history (2) the struggles of black women to reach racial and gender parity in the workplace (3) the accomplishments of black women in technical fields and their contributions to America’s efforts in aeronautics and the space race (4) the disruptive influence of WWII and the Cold War on patterns of employment and discrimination, disruptions which helped lay the groundwork for the rise of feminism and contributed to the Civil Rights Movement and (5) some of the effects of Jim Crow. Quotation from From Hidden to Modern Figures: Frequently Asked Questions, the NASA website, accessed April 24, 2017. It provides excellent opportunities for class discussion and assignments. Additionally, the film provides a historical link to today’s STEM and STEAM initiatives in schools and can alert students to seek out programs that will reinforce their skills and lead to careers in science and technical fields. Vaughan, Johnson, and Jackson are outstanding role models for young people who are trying to break through barriers of prejudice and glass ceilings in employment. It tells a story that was “never hidden, but unseen.” The Mses. Hidden Figures is well-crafted historical fiction that is inspirational for young women and students of color, as well as for the public in general.
The movie closely follows Margot Shetterly’s meticulously researched historical work of the same name. presence in space and blaze a path forward for achievement based on merit. However, their persistence and outstanding work boost the U.S. The women face entrenched racist and sexist attitudes.