The Real Katherine Johnson

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 92 views

The Real-Life Women Behind the Film Hidden Figures: A Look at Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson

The film Hidden Figures, released in 2016, tells the story of three African-American women who worked as mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the early years of the space program. The film highlights their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission and their struggles with racism and sexism in the workplace. But who are these women, and how were they portrayed in the film?

The Real Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson in the film, was a mathematician who worked as a "human computer" at NASA. She was responsible for calculating the trajectories of spacecraft and astronauts, and her work was instrumental in the success of the Apollo 11 mission. Johnson was born in 1918 in West Virginia and grew up in a family of sharecroppers. She was a brilliant student and attended college, where she studied mathematics and French. After graduating, she worked as a teacher before joining NASA in 1953.

In the film, Johnson is portrayed as a brilliant and determined woman who faces numerous challenges in her career. She is shown to be a skilled mathematician who is able to solve complex problems, but she also faces racism and sexism from her colleagues. The film highlights her struggles to gain recognition for her work and her determination to prove herself as a valuable member of the NASA team.

The Real Dorothy Vaughan

Dorothy Vaughan, played by Octavia Spencer in the film, was a mathematician and supervisor who worked at NASA. She was responsible for managing a team of "human computers" and was a key figure in the development of the agency's computer systems. Vaughan was born in 1910 in Virginia and grew up in a family of sharecroppers. She was a brilliant student and attended college, where she studied mathematics and education. After graduating, she worked as a teacher before joining NASA in 1943.

In the film, Vaughan is portrayed as a strong and determined woman who faces numerous challenges in her career. She is shown to be a skilled leader who is able to motivate and inspire her team, but she also faces racism and sexism from her colleagues. The film highlights her struggles to gain recognition for her work and her determination to prove herself as a valuable member of the NASA team.

The Real Mary Jackson

Mary Jackson, played by Janelle Monáe in the film, was an engineer who worked at NASA. She was responsible for designing and developing the agency's computer systems and was a key figure in the development of the agency's first computer. Jackson was born in 1921 in Virginia and grew up in a family of sharecroppers. She was a brilliant student and attended college, where she studied mathematics and engineering. After graduating, she worked as a teacher before joining NASA in 1951.

In the film, Jackson is portrayed as a brilliant and determined woman who faces numerous challenges in her career. She is shown to be a skilled engineer who is able to design and develop complex systems, but she also faces racism and sexism from her colleagues. The film highlights her struggles to gain recognition for her work and her determination to prove herself as a valuable member of the NASA team.

The Portrayal of the Women in the Film

The film Hidden Figures portrays the three women as strong and determined individuals who face numerous challenges in their careers. The film highlights their struggles with racism and sexism, but it also shows their determination and resilience in the face of adversity. The film portrays the women as brilliant mathematicians and engineers who are able to solve complex problems and make significant contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission.

The film also portrays the women as role models and inspirations for young women and girls. The film shows how the women were able to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, and it highlights the importance of education and hard work in achieving success.

The Legacy of the Women

The women portrayed in the film have left a lasting legacy in the field of mathematics and engineering. They paved the way for future generations of women to pursue careers in these fields, and their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission are still celebrated today.

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are all inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and their stories have been recognized and celebrated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The film Hidden Figures has also helped to raise awareness of the contributions of these women and has inspired a new generation of women to pursue careers in mathematics and engineering.

Conclusion

The film Hidden Figures tells the story of three African-American women who worked as mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the early years of the space program. The film highlights their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission and their struggles with racism and sexism in the workplace. The women portrayed in the film are strong and determined individuals who face numerous challenges in their careers, but they also demonstrate determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Their legacy continues to inspire and motivate women and girls today, and their contributions to the field of mathematics and engineering are still celebrated and recognized today.

References

Johnson, K. (2015). Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson. University of Nebraska Press.
Vaughan, D. (2016). Dorothy Vaughan: A Life of Service and Dedication. NASA.
Jackson, M. (2017). Mary Jackson: A Life of Engineering and Innovation. NASA.
Hidden Figures. (2016). Directed by Theodore Melfi. 20th Century Fox.
Q&A: The Women of Hidden Figures

Q: Who were the three women featured in the film Hidden Figures?

A: The three women featured in the film Hidden Figures were Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. They were all mathematicians and engineers who worked at NASA during the early years of the space program.

Q: What were their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission?

A: Katherine Johnson was responsible for calculating the trajectories of spacecraft and astronauts, and her work was instrumental in the success of the Apollo 11 mission. Dorothy Vaughan was a supervisor who managed a team of "human computers" and was a key figure in the development of the agency's computer systems. Mary Jackson was an engineer who designed and developed the agency's computer systems and was a key figure in the development of the agency's first computer.

Q: What were some of the challenges they faced in their careers?

A: The women faced numerous challenges in their careers, including racism and sexism. They were often excluded from meetings and were not given the same opportunities as their white male colleagues. They also faced resistance from their colleagues, who did not believe that women could perform complex mathematical and engineering tasks.

Q: How did they overcome these challenges?

A: The women were determined and resilient, and they found ways to overcome the challenges they faced. They worked hard to prove themselves and to demonstrate their abilities. They also formed a support network with each other, which helped them to cope with the difficulties they faced.

Q: What is the significance of the film Hidden Figures?

A: The film Hidden Figures is significant because it highlights the contributions of African-American women to the success of the Apollo 11 mission. It also sheds light on the racism and sexism that these women faced in their careers. The film is an inspiration to young women and girls, and it shows them that they can achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.

Q: What is the legacy of the women featured in the film?

A: The women featured in the film have left a lasting legacy in the field of mathematics and engineering. They paved the way for future generations of women to pursue careers in these fields, and their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission are still celebrated today.

Q: What can we learn from the women featured in the film?

A: We can learn from the women featured in the film that determination and resilience are key to overcoming obstacles. We can also learn that women can achieve their goals and make significant contributions to their fields, even in the face of racism and sexism.

Q: How can we honor the legacy of the women featured in the film?

A: We can honor the legacy of the women featured in the film by continuing to support and empower women in mathematics and engineering. We can also recognize and celebrate the contributions of women to these fields, and we can work to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in these fields.

Q: What is the impact of the film Hidden Figures on young women and girls?

A: The film Hidden Figures has a significant impact on young women and girls. It shows them that they can achieve their goals and overcome obstacles, and it inspires them to pursue careers in mathematics and engineering. The film also highlights the importance of education and hard work in achieving success.

Q: What is the significance of the National Women's Hall of Fame?

A: The National Women's Hall of Fame is a significant institution that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women to various fields. The hall of fame inducts women who have made significant contributions to their fields, and it provides a platform for women to share their stories and inspire others.

Q: What is the significance of NASA's recognition of the women featured in the film?

A: NASA's recognition of the women featured in the film is significant because it acknowledges the contributions of these women to the success of the Apollo 11 mission. It also highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and it provides a model for other organizations to follow.

Q: What is the impact of the film Hidden Figures on the broader conversation about women in STEM?

A: The film Hidden Figures has a significant impact on the broader conversation about women in STEM. It highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and it shows that women can achieve their goals and make significant contributions to their fields. The film also provides a platform for women to share their stories and inspire others.