Bitely

Hidden Figures

Margot Lee Shetterly

Women are often conspicuously absent from most of our widely recognized representations of historical events, particularly in fields such as science, engineering, and mathematics. This lack of representation is even more pronounced when it comes to recognizing the achievements of black women. However, it is imperative to acknowledge that black women played an indispensable role in numerous groundbreaking achievements throughout the twentieth century, including the historic Apollo mission that put Neil Armstrong on the moon.

science

mathematics

history

women

11 min

5 Bite

Insight

What's it about?

Hidden Figures highlights the often overlooked and remarkable story of a group of black female mathematicians who played a pivotal role in the historic achievements of the space program. This book brings to the forefront the untold stories of these courageous women who were instrumental in the success of sending John Glenn into his first orbit and facilitating Neil Armstrong's iconic moon landing. These fearless and pioneering women left their teaching positions in the South's segregated schools to contribute significantly to today's space program's development.

Book summary

Writer, researcher and entrepreneur Margot Lee Shetterly is the author of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, which was a top book of 2016 for both TIME and Publisher’s Weekly, a USA Today bestseller, and a #1 (instant) New York Times bestseller.

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All Bites

5 Bites

Despite racism, black women began working at Langley in the 1940s.

The Second World War provided an extraordinary opportunity for the pioneering West Computers.

In the midst of racism, West Computers began to rebel against it with great courage.

The West Computers laid the groundwork for progress in race and gender equality at Langley.

Langley served as a hub for scientific and engineering innovation, and as a testing ground for race and gender interaction.

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