Hidden Figures 123MOVIES: The Inspiring Story of Three African-American Women Who Broke Barriers in NASA

The film Hidden Figures, released in 2016, is a powerful and inspiring story of three African-American women who broke barriers in NASA during the 1960s. The film is based on the true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who were instrumental in the success of NASA’s early space missions. Hidden Figures is a must-watch movie that showcases the power of perseverance, determination, and hard work in the face of adversity.

The Storyline

The film is set in the early 1960s, during the height of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Katherine Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (played by Janelle Monáe) are three African-American women working as mathematicians at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. Despite their exceptional skills and knowledge, they are relegated to menial tasks and are not given the recognition they deserve.

However, when NASA faces a critical problem in calculating the trajectory for John Glenn’s historic orbit around the Earth, Katherine is called upon to help. She works tirelessly to solve the complex mathematical equations required for the mission, and her work proves to be crucial in ensuring Glenn’s safe return to Earth.

Meanwhile, Dorothy realizes that her job as a supervisor of a group of “human computers” (women who manually calculate mathematical equations) is at risk due to the introduction of IBM’s new mainframe computer. She takes it upon herself to learn how to program the computer, which ultimately saves her job and paves the way for future opportunities for her and her colleagues.

Mary, on the other hand, dreams of becoming an engineer but faces numerous obstacles due to her race and gender. She fights for the right to attend night classes at a segregated school, and eventually becomes NASA’s first African-American female engineer.

The Themes

Hidden Figures explores several themes, including racial and gender discrimination, perseverance, and the power of education. The film highlights the struggles that African-American women faced during the 1960s, including segregation and limited opportunities for career advancement. Despite these challenges, Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary refused to give up on their dreams and worked tirelessly to break down barriers.

The film also emphasizes the importance of education and the role it plays in achieving success. Katherine’s love for mathematics and her dedication to learning helped her become one of the most important figures in NASA’s history. Similarly, Dorothy’s willingness to learn how to program the IBM computer saved her job and opened up new opportunities for her and her colleagues.

The Cast

The cast of Hidden Figures is exceptional, with Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe delivering powerful performances as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, respectively. The chemistry between the three actresses is palpable, and they bring a sense of authenticity and depth to their characters.

Kevin Costner also delivers a strong performance as Al Harrison, Katherine’s boss at NASA. His character represents the struggle between progress and tradition, as he initially fails to recognize the discrimination that Katherine faces but eventually comes to understand the importance of her work.

The Impact

Hidden Figures has had a significant impact on popular culture since its release in 2016. The film has received critical acclaim and has been nominated for numerous awards, including three Academy Awards. It has also inspired a new generation of young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In addition, Hidden Figures has sparked a renewed interest in the history of NASA and the role that African-American women played in the early space missions. The film has helped to shed light on the contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who were previously overlooked and underappreciated.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, Hidden Figures is a powerful and inspiring film that tells the story of three African-American women who broke barriers in NASA during the 1960s. The film explores themes of racial and gender discrimination, perseverance, and the power of education. The exceptional cast delivers powerful performances, and the impact of the film has been significant, inspiring a new generation of young women to pursue careers in STEM and shedding light on the contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. Hidden Figures is a must-watch movie that showcases the power of determination and hard work in the face of adversity.