January 2017 Hidden Figures FROM PAGE 1


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Americans. Katherine G. Johnson's mathematical genius was responsible for the United States getting John Glenn into space.


At the conclusion of the private


showing of Hidden Figures, the room was filled with a gamut of feelings. One can only imagine how deeply it affected those in attendance who were acquainted with the women in the film.


After the film, it was a pleasure


to hear from some of the viewers. One could tell the film hit an emotional chord with everyone there. The Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Hampton, Rev. Andre Jefferson, Sr., knew Mary Jackson as an older member of his congregation. He thought the movie “was a wonderful portrayal...to see her as a young lady and some of the trials that she went through.”


One viewer and fellow church


Right: Katherine Johnson came to NASA Langley in 1953 as a human computer. She eventually joined NASA's Space Task Force and calculated trajectories for the agency's


space missions. Photo by: NASA/David C. Bowman


Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race of the 1960's. The film chronicles their successes and the barriers they broke; each one of them in possession of a beautiful mind. Through their acuity they were able to advert the challenges they faced from the segregation and the inequality that were the previous norms for Black people.


Each of the three women in the


film worked at NASA, but specialized in different fields. Dorothy Vaughan's ambition was to become a “supervisor” because she naturally gravitated toward leadership. However, she faced many obstacles on account of her race and gender. Mary Jackson wanted to be an engineer for NASA, but was told that in order to do so she had to take classes at an all-white school. Probably


the most prominent figure of the movie – the mathematician, Katherine Goble Johnson, found her place among the geniuses of NASA despite her race and sex. Mrs. Johnson experienced many achievements, but not without struggle. Through bravery and brilliance each of the women was able to combat the prejudices set against them.


Without the three women that


are portrayed in the film, America may have surely lost the Space Race to Russia. All the odds were stacked against them in a country that expected their silence. Against all the odds they prevailed. Dorothy Vaughan became a supervisor and earned the respect she deserved. Mary Jackson got her degree in engineering and acted as a pioneer for both women and African


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WHEN THE COMPUTER WORE A SKIRT: NASA’S HUMAN COMPUTERS


The Hampton History Museum’s newest exhibit explores the history and female pioneers of the fi lm “Hidden Figures,” in theaters now. The exhibit opens January 21.


HAMPTON HISTORY MUSEUM 120 Old Hampton Lane · HamptonHistoryMuseum.org


member, Marshall Rouse, was mentored by Mrs. Jackson along


with all of the other young African American engineers. Rouse received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T and began working for NASA (Langley) in 1977. He is now retired after 43 years of service.


Rev. Dr. Oretha P. Cross, Pastor


of St. Paul AME Church in Newport News said, “It brought tears to my eyes to see Black women who fought for what they wanted and did not give up.” Dorothy Vaughan was a member of St. Paul AME during the tenure of Rev. Sidney W. Williams, Sr. who is the former Pastor. He stated, “She touched our lives in a way that we did not know until she was gone… and that touch made our lives all the better.”


Whether you have a personal


attachment to the film or not, it is worth seeing for its significance in American History. Hidden Figures is a must-see film that will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings, as well.


PEOPLE HAVE Explored HERE FOR OVER 400 YEARS. COME MAKE A DISCOVERY. 757.727.1102 VisitHampton.com Hampton Roads Convention Center Pictured: Mary Jackson


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