“Hidden Figures” is a 2016 biographical drama film that tells the story of three African American women mathematicians and engineers who worked at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. The film highlights their significant contributions to the success of the first manned spaceflights. The three central characters are based on real-life historical figures:
- Katherine Johnson:
- Portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the film, Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who played a crucial role in calculating trajectories for space missions, including the first American in space and the first American to orbit the Earth.
- Dorothy Vaughan:
- Octavia Spencer portrayed Dorothy Vaughan, who was a mathematician and NASA’s first African American supervisor. She played a key role in computer programming and contributed to the success of the early space missions.
- Mary Jackson:
- Janelle Monáe played Mary Jackson, an aerospace engineer and mathematician. Jackson became NASA’s first African American female engineer and contributed significantly to the development of the space program.
These remarkable women faced both racial and gender discrimination during a time when segregation and systemic biases were prevalent. “Hidden Figures” sheds light on their perseverance, intelligence, and determination to overcome these challenges, making invaluable contributions to space exploration and challenging societal norms. The film received critical acclaim for bringing their stories to a broader audience and highlighting the often-overlooked role of black women in the history of science and technology.
