The Hidden Figures Who Transformed NASA

WEBVTT
00:00:02.137 --> 00:00:06.657
Welcome to Time Tellers, the podcast that delves deep into the lesser-known
00:00:06.657 --> 00:00:10.797
figures who shaped history, and stories that shaped history.
00:00:11.517 --> 00:00:16.457
Today, we explore the extraordinary lives of three brilliant African-American
00:00:16.457 --> 00:00:21.637
women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, who played critical
00:00:21.637 --> 00:00:24.477
roles in NASA's early space missions.
00:00:24.477 --> 00:00:29.557
These women were known as human computers, and they performed complex calculations
00:00:29.557 --> 00:00:32.877
that made space travel possible.
00:00:33.257 --> 00:00:39.417
They overcame barriers of segregation and gender discrimination in the 1960s.
00:00:40.697 --> 00:00:43.637
Welcome to March, Women's History Month.
00:00:47.577 --> 00:00:50.977
Yeah, because this will be the March episode, right? March 4th?
00:00:51.497 --> 00:00:55.477
Yeah. Is that Tuesday? Yeah. Tuesday's March 4th? Uh-huh.
00:00:56.097 --> 00:00:58.137
You mean John Philip Sousa Day? My gosh.
00:00:59.337 --> 00:01:05.377
March 4th. That's what matters. Obviously. Their stories remained in the shadows
00:01:05.377 --> 00:01:11.617
for decades, only gaining widespread recognition after Margot Lee Shatterley
00:01:11.617 --> 00:01:13.657
published the book Hidden Figures.
00:01:15.117 --> 00:01:19.417
Using direct quotes from the book, first-hand accounts, and historical context,
00:01:19.417 --> 00:01:26.077
Next, we will uncover how they changed the course of American space exploration and civil rights.
00:01:27.317 --> 00:01:31.297
And often I have my students read this book.
00:01:31.477 --> 00:01:37.497
We did not this year because pretty much all the students I have right now are
00:01:37.497 --> 00:01:38.997
the same ones I had last year.
00:01:40.337 --> 00:01:47.017
So they already read it. No, I teach three grade levels. Oh,
00:01:47.077 --> 00:01:48.057
I thought you made them on repeat.
00:01:49.417 --> 00:01:52.577
We don't have that ability, really. Oh.
00:01:53.197 --> 00:01:58.857
Before NASA was established, its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee
00:01:58.857 --> 00:02:05.297
for Aeronautics, known as NACA, played a crucial role in aeronautical research.
00:02:05.977 --> 00:02:12.837
Founded in 1915, NACA worked on aviation advancements, including developing
00:02:12.837 --> 00:02:16.157
the first wind tunnels, improving aircraft design.
00:02:16.157 --> 00:02:22.637
However, with the advent of the Cold War and the launch of the Soviet Union
00:02:22.637 --> 00:02:30.657
Sputnik satellite in 1953, the United States recognized the need for a dedicated space program.
00:02:31.657 --> 00:02:35.557
So, in 1958, President Dwight D.
00:02:35.757 --> 00:02:41.837
Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, officially forming NASA.
00:02:42.237 --> 00:02:45.917
The precursor to SpaceX. I was waiting for something.
00:02:46.877 --> 00:02:48.697
I was waiting for you to say something.
00:02:50.830 --> 00:02:51.370
Something.
00:02:53.410 --> 00:02:57.370
So, for all those who may not know, Dwight D.
00:02:57.490 --> 00:03:04.530
Eisenhower was the 34th U.S. President from 1953 to 1961.
00:03:05.270 --> 00:03:11.430
He led the nation through post-World War II prosperity and into the Cold War tensions.
00:03:12.330 --> 00:03:18.370
Domestically, he expanded Social Security, enforced school desegregation,
00:03:18.710 --> 00:03:22.230
and initiated the interstate highway system.
00:03:22.610 --> 00:03:29.230
In foreign policy, he sought to contain communism, end the Korean War,
00:03:29.710 --> 00:03:37.310
support South Vietnam, and implement the Eisenhower Doctrine to aid Middle Eastern nations.
00:03:38.430 --> 00:03:42.450
Are you going to explain to us the Middle Eastern doctrine or the Eisenhower
00:03:42.450 --> 00:03:44.090
doctrine? Not right now.
00:03:44.710 --> 00:03:51.170
Oh, okay. This is Women's History Month. So there's no women in the Middle East that need help?
00:03:52.450 --> 00:03:59.730
As he left office, he famously warned, I got it this time, against the growing
00:03:59.730 --> 00:04:04.130
power of the military industrial complex.
00:04:04.130 --> 00:04:07.570
This from a military officer.
00:04:08.830 --> 00:04:13.030
And helped shape future U.S. policies on defense and governance.
00:04:14.250 --> 00:04:20.390
This new agency, NASA, absorbed NACA's research centers and personnel,
00:04:20.690 --> 00:04:25.830
including the West Area Computing Unit, where Katherine Johnson,
00:04:26.230 --> 00:04:28.670
Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson worked.
00:04:29.430 --> 00:04:36.270
This transition began America's commitment to space exploration and technological advancement.
00:04:37.490 --> 00:04:43.290
So NASA, of course, became the center of innovation, and their main goal was
00:04:43.290 --> 00:04:46.030
to beat the Soviets in the space race.
00:04:46.430 --> 00:04:55.150
So let's talk about the space race. The space race, which lasted for about 1957 to 1969,
00:04:55.590 --> 00:05:00.870
was a Cold War-era competition between the United States and the Soviet Union
00:05:00.870 --> 00:05:04.310
to achieve dominance in space exploration.
00:05:04.750 --> 00:05:09.750
It began when the USSR launched Sputnik 1 in 1957.
00:05:10.590 --> 00:05:13.770
This satellite shocked and scared the United States.
00:05:14.330 --> 00:05:20.170
The Soviets initially led with milestones like Laika, the first animal in orbit,
00:05:20.370 --> 00:05:23.410
and Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space.
00:05:23.570 --> 00:05:25.610
Is Laika the one that they just set up and left up there?
00:05:26.270 --> 00:05:29.450
Yeah. Oh, okay. Just checking. No!
00:05:32.307 --> 00:05:37.947
Like it was a dog, right? Yeah, I think. And they didn't survive. Dog didn't survive.
00:05:38.967 --> 00:05:42.187
I don't think. Was it the chimps that they just set up and just... Oh, God.
00:05:42.487 --> 00:05:50.967
The U.S. responded by creating NASA and started ambitious programs like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.
00:05:51.567 --> 00:05:55.827
The race, of course, culminated in 1969 when U.S.
00:05:56.167 --> 00:06:02.507
Landed Apollo 11 on the moon, marking a symbolic victory in technological and
00:06:02.507 --> 00:06:04.167
ideological superiority.
00:06:04.547 --> 00:06:08.867
The moon was the name of a soundstage at Elstree Studios. No, it wasn't.
00:06:10.007 --> 00:06:15.167
We're better than you, Dan and Abu Abu. That's what the United States did in July of 1969.
00:06:16.827 --> 00:06:21.347
Oh, Ed, did you something to make up for Vietnam? Hmm. Not wrong.
00:06:22.307 --> 00:06:25.647
Throughout these missions, human computers like Johnson, Vaughn,
00:06:25.727 --> 00:06:27.667
and Jackson were crucial in
00:06:27.667 --> 00:06:32.667
ensuring accurate calculations for astronaut safety and mission success.
00:06:33.127 --> 00:06:38.647
While exact overall numbers are not readily available, it is known that by 1946,
00:06:38.647 --> 00:06:45.427
the Langley Research Center had recruited about 400 female human computers,
00:06:45.707 --> 00:06:47.967
including nearly 80 black women.
00:06:48.327 --> 00:06:52.927
Despite their behind-the-scenes work, their contributions laid this foundation
00:06:52.927 --> 00:06:58.067
for NASA's triumphs, including the moon landing. The moon landing filming.
00:06:58.727 --> 00:07:00.267
Oh, my God.
00:07:01.467 --> 00:07:08.087
At least I'm putting it in a spot where I can cut it easy. But will you? Probably not. Yes.
00:07:08.987 --> 00:07:12.887
I still remember, was that episode three when we were discussing the earth being flat?
00:07:14.425 --> 00:07:18.485
Yeah, and then I pushed you off of it. And then you had to specify the Earth was round.
00:07:24.145 --> 00:07:29.585
Born during the era of segregation, Catherine, Dorothy, and Mary faced systematic
00:07:29.585 --> 00:07:33.425
racism and gender barriers that made it difficult for African Americans,
00:07:33.625 --> 00:07:36.965
especially women, to excel in STEM fields.
00:07:37.505 --> 00:07:43.065
Let's talk about Catherine first here real quick. She was born in 1918 in White
00:07:43.065 --> 00:07:44.745
Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
00:07:45.145 --> 00:07:50.365
She was a math prodigy. She attended high school by the age of 10 and later
00:07:50.365 --> 00:07:56.745
enrolled in West Virginia State College, earning degrees in mathematics and French at age 18.
00:07:57.345 --> 00:08:03.345
In 1939, she became one of the first Black students to integrate into West Virginia
00:08:03.345 --> 00:08:05.145
University's graduate programs.
00:08:05.945 --> 00:08:12.025
Her brilliance was evident early on, but opportunities were scarce for Black women in the sciences.
00:08:12.745 --> 00:08:17.725
Dorothy Vaughn was born in 1910 in Kansas City, Missouri.
00:08:18.505 --> 00:08:23.765
She was a valedictorian of her high school class. She earned a mathematics degree
00:08:23.765 --> 00:08:25.745
from Wilberforce University.
00:08:26.105 --> 00:08:30.885
She began teaching before joining NACA in 1943 as a mathematician.
00:08:30.885 --> 00:08:37.485
She quickly became known for her leadership skills and advocacy for other Black women in STEM.
00:08:38.305 --> 00:08:41.945
Mary Jackson was born in 1921 in Hampton, Virginia.
00:08:42.725 --> 00:08:47.965
She attended Hampton Institute, earning degrees in mathematics and physical science.
00:08:48.205 --> 00:08:53.405
She initially worked as a teacher before also joining NACA in 1951.
00:08:53.885 --> 00:08:58.605
Despite her talent, she had to petition the city of Hampton for permission to
00:08:58.605 --> 00:09:04.125
attend classes at an all-white school in order to qualify for an engineering position.
00:09:07.108 --> 00:09:13.088
At NASA's Langley Research Center, they worked in the Segregated West Area Computing
00:09:13.088 --> 00:09:19.488
Unit, a department for black female mathematicians separate from their white counterparts.
00:09:20.228 --> 00:09:25.048
Despite the separation, we were given work equal to everyone else,
00:09:25.228 --> 00:09:28.988
is a quote from Katherine Johnson when she recalled in an interview.
00:09:29.688 --> 00:09:33.688
However, they were often overlooked for promotions and, of course,
00:09:33.768 --> 00:09:35.328
had to fight for every opportunity.
00:09:36.428 --> 00:09:40.708
Katherine Johnson's calculations were critical to NASA's space missions.
00:09:41.068 --> 00:09:47.068
She played a crucial role in analyzing the trajectory of Alan Shepard's 1961
00:09:47.068 --> 00:09:51.808
flight, the first American in space, that being Alan Shepard.
00:09:52.228 --> 00:09:59.128
However, her most significant contribution was during John Glenn's 1962 orbital mission.
00:10:00.348 --> 00:10:05.448
John Glenn famously said, If she says the numbers are good, I'm ready to go.
00:10:05.868 --> 00:10:13.968
Before his Friendship 7 flight, he refused to trust the IBM computer calculations over Catherine's.
00:10:14.248 --> 00:10:17.528
Her calculations ensured the spacecraft's
00:10:17.528 --> 00:10:21.768
safe reentry, making her an indispensable part of the mission.
00:10:22.408 --> 00:10:25.388
Couldn't they have just asked ChatGPT? Mm-hmm.
00:10:26.908 --> 00:10:32.888
Right? It'd be a lot easier. Dorothy Vaughn, realizing that the machine computers
00:10:32.888 --> 00:10:38.368
would soon replace human ones, self-taught and mastered Fortran,
00:10:38.588 --> 00:10:40.548
an early programming language.
00:10:40.928 --> 00:10:44.508
This ensured that she and her team remained essential to NASA.
00:10:45.408 --> 00:10:50.868
She became the first Black supervisor at Langley and advocated for other women in the workforce.
00:10:51.748 --> 00:10:57.368
Vaughn was instrumental in transitioning NASA from human computers to digital computation,
00:10:57.368 --> 00:11:03.368
ensuring that black women remained a vital part of the space program and probably
00:11:03.368 --> 00:11:07.048
women in general but yes, especially black women.
00:11:08.511 --> 00:11:15.151
Mary Jackson pushed the boundaries further by transitioning from a human computer to an engineer.
00:11:15.491 --> 00:11:18.971
After she fought to attend night classes at the all-white school,
00:11:19.271 --> 00:11:23.191
she became NASA's first black female engineer in 1958.
00:11:24.651 --> 00:11:33.691
She would later work in programs to promote diversity in STEM,
00:11:33.971 --> 00:11:37.891
mentoring young women, and fighting for workplace equity.
00:11:37.891 --> 00:11:40.671
Did the term STEM even exist yet? Gosh, I said the E word.
00:11:41.271 --> 00:11:45.091
Yeah, you did say equity, too. But, I mean, was STEM a commonly used term still
00:11:45.091 --> 00:11:47.411
at this point? No, not at this point. No.
00:11:47.951 --> 00:11:52.351
This is just. Yeah. That's a term that was maybe 10 years old.
00:11:52.911 --> 00:11:55.591
Well, longer than that. Can you remind our listeners what that stands for?
00:11:56.811 --> 00:12:02.151
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You know, just making sure.
00:12:03.471 --> 00:12:07.051
Some people listen to this in 20 years, you know.
00:12:07.331 --> 00:12:12.051
Right. They know what you're talking about. Mary worked tirelessly to create
00:12:12.051 --> 00:12:16.911
opportunities for women at NASA, leaving a lasting impact on that organization.
00:12:17.911 --> 00:12:20.311
So we're talking the 1960s, right?
00:12:20.551 --> 00:12:24.991
Right? You have hippies, but we also have... Good music. Good music.
00:12:26.851 --> 00:12:33.371
Free love. And the consequences of that. But however, we also have a president.
00:12:33.651 --> 00:12:34.831
Hey, who doesn't want hugs?
00:12:35.211 --> 00:12:37.971
Who's the president? Kennedy. Thank you.
00:12:39.074 --> 00:12:43.594
President John F. Kennedy played a pivotal role in America's space race,
00:12:44.194 --> 00:12:47.574
marking making the moon landing a national goal.
00:12:47.934 --> 00:12:52.934
In his famous 1962 speech at Rice University, he declared, quote,
00:12:53.214 --> 00:12:58.534
We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
00:12:58.734 --> 00:13:00.814
I thought it was just because it's there.
00:13:01.774 --> 00:13:03.234
Oh, wait, that's Mount Everest.
00:13:04.314 --> 00:13:08.454
His administration also made strides towards racial equality,
00:13:08.694 --> 00:13:13.314
pushing for civil rights reforms that impacted these women's opportunities at NASA.
00:13:13.994 --> 00:13:20.554
Kennedy's vision for space exploration and racial progress was inextricably linked.
00:13:21.134 --> 00:13:26.034
Katherine Johnson later reflected, quote, What he did in civil rights made it
00:13:26.034 --> 00:13:29.314
easier for us to push through at NASA, end quote.
00:13:29.314 --> 00:13:33.754
The civil rights movement and the space race were coinciding,
00:13:33.994 --> 00:13:37.514
challenging outdated norms and advocating for progress.
00:13:37.834 --> 00:13:44.334
But as we know, JFK did not, unfortunately, last through his term.
00:13:44.874 --> 00:13:49.994
So unfortunately, JFK is assassinated in Dallas in 1963.
00:13:50.534 --> 00:13:56.314
So let's have Robert Kennedy. Let's talk about him for a second. Robert F.
00:13:56.434 --> 00:14:00.654
Kennedy indirectly supported NASA by advocating for his brother John F.
00:14:00.834 --> 00:14:03.174
Kennedy's vision for space exploration.
00:14:03.494 --> 00:14:08.614
As Attorney General, he helped secure political and congressional backing for
00:14:08.614 --> 00:14:13.114
the Apollo program, reinforcing its importance in the Cold War.
00:14:13.674 --> 00:14:19.014
After JFK's assassination, RFK continued to champion the space program,
00:14:19.174 --> 00:14:24.434
ensuring his brother's moon landing goal remained a national priority. As a U.S.
00:14:24.814 --> 00:14:28.354
Senator, he supported science, technology, and education funding—.
00:14:30.153 --> 00:14:35.533
Contributing to NASA's workforce and innovation, his influence helped sustain
00:14:35.533 --> 00:14:41.553
momentum for Apollo, ultimately helping lead to the 1969 moon landing.
00:14:42.353 --> 00:14:47.893
Which we can do a whole episode on just the moon landing. This is supposed to be more about the women.
00:14:48.353 --> 00:14:51.773
Oh, we're going to do the whole Apollo program and the whole Mercury program.
00:14:52.093 --> 00:14:57.033
Oh, are you going to write those episodes? Following the 1969 moon landing,
00:14:57.333 --> 00:15:00.293
all three women continued to shape NASA's history.
00:15:01.553 --> 00:15:05.673
Katherine Johnson worked for the Space Shuttle Program and Mars Missions,
00:15:06.213 --> 00:15:10.073
calculating up until she retired in 1986.
00:15:10.953 --> 00:15:15.393
In 2015, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
00:15:15.873 --> 00:15:22.933
And in 2020, NASA renamed its headquarters after her, cementing her legacy in aerospace history.
00:15:23.473 --> 00:15:25.473
Dorothy Vaughn retired in 1971,
00:15:25.473 --> 00:15:30.553
but left behind a legacy of mentorship for women and minorities in STEM.
00:15:30.933 --> 00:15:36.473
She dedicated her career to ensuring that future generations had tools to succeed
00:15:36.473 --> 00:15:39.693
in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
00:15:40.113 --> 00:15:48.433
Mary Jackson transitioned to NASA's Equal Opportunity Specialist Division and
00:15:48.433 --> 00:15:51.193
advocated for women and minorities until her retirement.
00:15:51.893 --> 00:15:56.193
She spent decades pushing for policy changes to help women and minorities gain
00:15:56.193 --> 00:15:58.213
equal footing in STEM fields.
00:15:59.253 --> 00:16:04.013
And I know, Tathryn Johnson just died in like 2023. Yeah, I was going to say, it's fairly recent.
00:16:04.653 --> 00:16:09.113
But she, I can't remember. It was definitely after the movie.
00:16:09.873 --> 00:16:14.153
Yeah, because she was there for the premiere. Oh, I'm sorry, it was 2020.
00:16:14.833 --> 00:16:25.353
Oh. Yeah, she died in 2020. She was 98 years old. But she was alive when that movie came out.
00:16:25.613 --> 00:16:28.733
And Dorothy Vaughn died in 2008.
00:16:30.333 --> 00:16:34.753
Not sure about Mary Jackson, though, offhand.
00:16:35.233 --> 00:16:42.393
They all lived very long lives, which is always nice to see.
00:16:43.113 --> 00:16:47.193
Their contributions weren't just about space travel. Of course,
00:16:47.293 --> 00:16:49.013
they paved the way for future generations.
00:16:49.973 --> 00:16:53.373
Johnson once humbly stated We never
00:16:53.373 --> 00:16:56.253
thought about being pioneers We were just doing
00:16:56.253 --> 00:17:01.613
our jobs Their perseverance and dedication Have inspired countless young scientists
00:17:01.613 --> 00:17:08.973
and engineers To pursue careers in space exploration I will learn how to speak
00:17:08.973 --> 00:17:13.393
one of these days Not if I'm editing you all Yeah,
00:17:14.933 --> 00:17:18.173
but who'll edit out that sentence? No, I won't,
00:17:19.971 --> 00:17:23.111
Probably not, no. So let's talk about the movie.
00:17:23.431 --> 00:17:27.831
This is a very good movie. It's probably the reason we read the book in my class,
00:17:27.871 --> 00:17:30.651
because it's always good to entice them with the movie afterwards.
00:17:31.411 --> 00:17:35.511
Plus, we do it in February and March normally, so we have Black History Month
00:17:35.511 --> 00:17:39.091
and Women's History Month, and it all merges together, and then the science
00:17:39.091 --> 00:17:43.171
teacher can do something, and the math teacher can do it. It's cross-curriculum.
00:17:43.431 --> 00:17:47.631
Yes, we get the popcorn, too. Cross-curriculum for any of our educators out
00:17:47.631 --> 00:17:49.651
there. Well, you still can.
00:17:52.431 --> 00:17:58.011
Theodore Melfi directed the 2016 film Hidden Figures, which brought the incredible
00:17:58.011 --> 00:18:00.831
stories of Catherine, Dorothy, and Mary to the big screen.
00:18:01.051 --> 00:18:05.811
That was based, of course, on Margot Lee Shatterley's book, the same name.
00:18:05.991 --> 00:18:07.551
The film starred Tarja P.
00:18:07.851 --> 00:18:12.471
Henson as Catherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Bond,
00:18:12.751 --> 00:18:15.051
and Janelle Marais as Mary Jackson.
00:18:15.771 --> 00:18:21.071
And one of my favorites, Kevin Costner, is in there? Oh, he's rolling his eyes.
00:18:21.991 --> 00:18:25.071
Sorry, after he had to ruin the only good Robin Hood movie.
00:18:25.831 --> 00:18:29.871
Well, this has been a fun run, guys. Robin Hood and Prince of Thieves.
00:18:29.991 --> 00:18:31.691
Don't you think Robin Hood would be English?
00:18:32.491 --> 00:18:36.411
Or at least be able to hold the accent for more than two scenes and then switch
00:18:36.411 --> 00:18:38.851
back to an American one? You probably don't like Waterworld either,
00:18:39.011 --> 00:18:40.931
do you? No, I actually do like Waterworld.
00:18:41.871 --> 00:18:44.911
A lot of people seem to hate it. Yeah, I know. I thought it was a decent movie.
00:18:44.971 --> 00:18:50.231
I like it. But, I mean, Kirsten Dunst is also, and, of course, Jim Parsons.
00:18:50.431 --> 00:18:55.051
I always forget he's in it. Kirsten Dunst was also a dick. And Dunst and Sheck's in.
00:18:58.211 --> 00:19:01.911
I always forget Jim Parsons in that, in this movie, until he pops up.
00:19:01.931 --> 00:19:04.111
And I'm like, oh, my gosh, Sheldon. Yeah.
00:19:05.703 --> 00:19:12.363
He's not a real scientist. He certainly acts like it. What do you mean? I think he is.
00:19:13.223 --> 00:19:16.983
Yeah? I'm kidding. Other people act important, and you know how that goes.
00:19:17.303 --> 00:19:19.283
I didn't say important. I said scientists.
00:19:19.623 --> 00:19:23.643
I know. Are you saying scientists aren't important? Yes, they can be.
00:19:24.403 --> 00:19:29.563
The movie was critical and was both a critical and commercial success,
00:19:29.863 --> 00:19:36.223
grossing over $236 million worldwide, and only had a $25 million budget.
00:19:37.063 --> 00:19:41.143
It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture,
00:19:41.383 --> 00:19:45.823
Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.
00:19:46.323 --> 00:19:52.623
The film won the Screen Actor Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
00:19:53.943 --> 00:19:58.623
One of the most compelling aspects of the movie was its attention to historical detail.
00:19:58.783 --> 00:20:03.863
Of course, there is some deviance, Like Kevin Costner's character does not actually
00:20:03.863 --> 00:20:05.163
take down the colored sign.
00:20:05.403 --> 00:20:10.883
From what I understand, Catherine Johnson just ignored it and went to the restrooms
00:20:10.883 --> 00:20:12.983
that were closest to where she worked.
00:20:13.563 --> 00:20:18.963
But it made for good movie. I'm pretty sure the people working in NASA wouldn't care.
00:20:19.623 --> 00:20:24.983
I mean, technically it was Virginia segregated, so they had to, you know.
00:20:25.703 --> 00:20:28.743
But there was only the workers in there, so. Right, yeah, yeah.
00:20:28.743 --> 00:20:31.123
Yeah, somebody would have had to report her using the wrong bathroom.
00:20:31.143 --> 00:20:33.403
And somehow prove it. Yeah.
00:20:33.923 --> 00:20:38.983
It captured the challenges of segregation in NASA and the crucial contributions
00:20:38.983 --> 00:20:41.343
of black women to the space program.
00:20:41.683 --> 00:20:46.303
Of course, the creative liberties were taken.
00:20:47.143 --> 00:20:51.343
In fact, not only was Kevin Cosner's character not take down that sign,
00:20:51.383 --> 00:20:56.703
he was also not a specific person. It was a composite of several NASA managers
00:20:56.703 --> 00:20:58.943
rather than a single historical figure.
00:20:59.003 --> 00:21:01.903
So let's just talk about some fun facts about this movie.
00:21:05.370 --> 00:21:08.630
Katherine Johnson, who was 98 years when the movie premiered,
00:21:08.770 --> 00:21:13.510
attended the White House screening and later received a standing ovation at the Oscars.
00:21:14.310 --> 00:21:17.750
Oh, and this is where I had the point where I said the scene where Al Harrison
00:21:17.750 --> 00:21:19.850
knocks down the colored lady's bathroom sign.
00:21:20.030 --> 00:21:25.090
It's just dramatization as Johnson herself simply ignored the segregated restrooms
00:21:25.090 --> 00:21:26.750
and used the closest facilities.
00:21:28.190 --> 00:21:34.490
NASA itself hosted a special screening for hidden figures for its employees.
00:21:35.370 --> 00:21:38.650
That'd be kind of cool. And probably their families. Recognizing the story's
00:21:38.650 --> 00:21:41.310
importance in inspiring future generations.
00:21:41.850 --> 00:21:47.670
Always fun. Yeah. The film Hidden Figures not only educated audiences on the
00:21:47.670 --> 00:21:49.990
significant contribution of these women,
00:21:50.190 --> 00:21:54.970
but also reignited conversations about representation of Black women in STEM
00:21:54.970 --> 00:21:57.850
fields, and women in STEM fields in general.
00:21:58.070 --> 00:22:03.730
It served as a cultural milestone, proving that stories of resilience and brilliance,
00:22:03.730 --> 00:22:06.690
that rhyme they have to rhyme deserve to
00:22:06.690 --> 00:22:09.510
be told and celebrated because again this is
00:22:09.510 --> 00:22:13.170
another one of those stories where people just didn't know about it they they
00:22:13.170 --> 00:22:18.970
had no clue and we get so many of these stories especially since a lot of these
00:22:18.970 --> 00:22:25.130
these women started during world war ii so y'all you have all the war effort
00:22:25.130 --> 00:22:31.090
that all this stuff that comes out later decades later this is kind of like that,
00:22:31.110 --> 00:22:33.770
and a lot of it was classified or just not known.
00:22:34.190 --> 00:22:39.410
The figures of NASA remind us that history often overlooks its true heroes.
00:22:39.650 --> 00:22:46.470
Their names are now rightfully celebrated thanks to Margo Lee's Shatterley book and the 2016 film.
00:22:46.830 --> 00:22:52.390
Their perseverance in the face of segregation, sexism, and limited opportunities
00:22:52.390 --> 00:22:58.070
exemplifies the resilience of Black women in America, And I would like to say
00:22:58.070 --> 00:23:00.270
also, you know, a lot of other women in America,
00:23:01.070 --> 00:23:02.730
but definitely black women.
00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:07.780
Yes. It's a good book. If you haven't read it, you should read it.
00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:13.340
There's a Young People's Edition that is a Young Reader's Edition,
00:23:13.560 --> 00:23:18.840
but it's not like super low or nothing. You can watch the movie, of course.
00:23:19.520 --> 00:23:24.140
Think about how different it is. The movie and the book are pretty similar,
00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:32.840
except the book is more of a history book, where the movie has more of the narrative in it.
00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:39.080
Like, if that makes sense. Both are very well done, though. I enjoy them both.
00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:44.140
Yeah. So thank you for tuning in to Time Tellers.
00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:48.580
If you enjoyed this episode, we are going to have some more coming up.
00:23:48.760 --> 00:23:53.300
We're going to have some shorts or mini-tiny's, whatever we're calling them nowadays.
00:23:53.720 --> 00:24:01.640
Yeah, you keep changing them. About some quick biographies on some women in American history.
00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:10.480
Yay Dan's super excited I'm also starting to work on an episode about women in reporting fields,
00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:14.360
and how you know like Nellie Fly and,
00:24:15.260 --> 00:24:20.960
yeah Christian Amonpour all that good stuff breaking barriers everywhere,
00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:25.940
so send us in an idea of something you want to talk about a woman you want to
00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:30.200
hear about for this month not that we're anti-men we're not it's just it is
00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:33.020
Women's History Month They get the other 11 months.
00:24:33.260 --> 00:24:36.360
Oh, looking forward to hearing from everybody. Except for me.
00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:42.840
We're on Facebook. We're on Instagram. We're on Tik TOK. We're on the blue sky.
00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:49.860
We are, have our email at timetellershistoryatgmail.com. And the website. Oh, the website.
00:24:51.588 --> 00:24:54.988
Wait, the website is timetellershistory.com. Yes.
00:24:55.608 --> 00:25:00.248
The email is timetellerspodcast at gmail, right? I think.
00:25:00.728 --> 00:25:03.688
I could be wrong. I don't remember. You sent that up. I did.
00:25:04.968 --> 00:25:08.788
I'm pretty sure it's timetellerspod. Oh, gosh. I don't know.
00:25:08.848 --> 00:25:12.488
Just use the contact form on the website. Yeah, that's probably the easiest way.
00:25:13.468 --> 00:25:16.988
Or join our Patreon and talk to us that way. Yeah, that too.
00:25:18.148 --> 00:25:22.688
Yeah, we've got... Oh, and yes, it is the month of the Irish,
00:25:22.908 --> 00:25:28.648
and I am Irish, and I'm super excited for that, so we will definitely be doing some Irish stuff. Yay!
00:25:29.588 --> 00:25:34.008
You can't see Dan's face right now, but he's annoyed. And I'm super excited.
00:25:34.728 --> 00:25:41.668
Yeah, and you only have Guinness. Well, not yet, but I will. So, see y'all later.
00:25:42.648 --> 00:25:46.908
I don't like the shamrock shakes. With dailies. Maybe.
00:25:47.728 --> 00:25:52.788
Okay, so I'm signing off. I'm saying goodbye. I feel like I'm missing something.
00:25:53.388 --> 00:25:56.828
Did I forget something? Depends on if you're doing current events or not.
00:25:57.508 --> 00:26:00.528
No. Oh. Oh, Gene Hackman died.
00:26:00.788 --> 00:26:05.428
Rest in peace. Michelle Trattenburg died from Buffy. That's very sad.
00:26:05.608 --> 00:26:10.088
Roberta Flack. You mean from Eurotrip? Yes, from Eurotrip. All very sad.
00:26:10.408 --> 00:26:13.148
Huh? And Pete and Pete. Oh, yeah. I forgot.
00:26:14.168 --> 00:26:18.748
Harriet the Spy. Oh, who cares about that? Eurotrip's the movie that matters there.
00:26:18.828 --> 00:26:22.668
No, it's very, it's, they always happen in threes, and I'm not trying to make
00:26:22.668 --> 00:26:25.168
it flip, and it's very sad, very sad.
00:26:25.668 --> 00:26:28.568
Who's the third? Roberta Flack. Who's that?
00:26:29.148 --> 00:26:31.948
A singer? She was, she was older.
00:26:32.588 --> 00:26:35.548
She wrote, she wrote, um, BG's
00:26:35.548 --> 00:26:39.708
song, oh my gosh. Oh, back when none of the artists wrote their own music.
00:26:40.768 --> 00:26:46.588
I'm, I'm having a brain fart, but, so yeah, that was, that was, that's all sad.
00:26:46.908 --> 00:26:52.828
That's some news. And last I heard, the Pope is still hanging on.
00:26:53.148 --> 00:26:57.048
They were practicing his funeral, though, which seems very morbid to me.
00:26:57.468 --> 00:27:01.268
Shout out to Morbid. If anybody likes true crime, go listen to their podcast.
00:27:01.388 --> 00:27:04.768
It's amazing. You should just go listen to The Good Death. Okay.
00:27:05.568 --> 00:27:10.728
Or Cold Hands Host. What are those two? So today, just in case something happens
00:27:10.728 --> 00:27:15.328
to the Pope, is the 27th of February. Last I knew, he was still alive.
00:27:16.188 --> 00:27:23.468
So hopefully he recovers I don't know you got any current news current events that no,
00:27:25.128 --> 00:27:30.108
thanks for joining us we will see y'all listen you can hear our voices next
00:27:30.108 --> 00:27:33.308
Tuesday or possibly a Thursday episode coming up,
00:27:34.188 --> 00:27:40.888
I don't know when we'll record that one this week yeah not sure have fun with that bye.