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Hidden Figures

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description Hidden Figures Overview

Hidden Figures tells the inspiring true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three brilliant African-American women who worked at NASA during the Space Race. The film highlights their crucial contributions to the program while confronting the systemic racism and sexism they faced. It's a powerful testament to perseverance, intelligence, and the fight for equal opportunity, offering a vital perspective on a pivotal moment in American history and inspiring a new generation of women in STEM.

help Hidden Figures FAQ

Which NASA women are Hidden Figures about?

Hidden Figures centers on Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. In the film, they are played by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae.

What space mission is most important in Hidden Figures?

The film builds toward John Glenn's Friendship 7 orbital flight on February 20, 1962. Katherine Johnson's trajectory calculations are shown as crucial to confidence in the mission.

Is Hidden Figures based on a book?

Yes, the film is based on Margot Lee Shetterly's nonfiction book Hidden Figures. The movie was released in 2016 and directed by Theodore Melfi.

What does Dorothy Vaughan do with the IBM computer in Hidden Figures?

Dorothy Vaughan teaches herself and her team FORTRAN so they can work with NASA's IBM mainframe. That storyline shows how programming skills changed the role of human computers at Langley Research Center.

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