# 							From Hidden to Modern Figures						

						The film “Hidden Figures,” based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, focuses on three African-American women who were essential to the success of early spaceflight. NASA embraces their legacy and strives to include everyone who wants to participate in ongoing exploration.					

Hidden Figures is a movie based on actual events. While the movie dramatizes some aspects, it is true to the struggles of the women at the center of the story. The victories for racial and gender rights were not achieved easily or quickly, and our work is not done. Today, NASA strives to make sure their legacy of inclusion and excellence lives on.

As seen in the movie Hidden Figures, NASA has a long-standing cultural commitment to excellence that is largely driven by data, including data about our people. And our data shows progress is driven by questioning our assumptions and cultural prejudices—by embracing and nurturing all the talent we have available, regardless of gender, race or other protected status, to build a workforce as diverse as its mission. This is how we, as a nation, will take the next giant leap in exploration.

As a world leader in science, aeronautics, space exploration and technology, NASA has a diverse mission that demands talent from every corner of America, and every walk of life. With the human computers portrayed in Hidden Figures, NASA began leading the way in building a workforce as diverse as its mission—a workforce that will use the International Space Station to help put humans on Mars; make exciting discoveries about our universe; carry out research that will create greener, safer, quieter and faster air travel; monitor the health of our home planet; and develop cutting-edge technologies to explore our solar system and improve life on Earth.

In the 1960’s, NASA was on an ambitious journey to the moon, and the human computers portrayed in Hidden Figures helped get us there. Today, NASA is on an even more ambitious journey to Mars. We are building a vibrant, innovative workforce that reflects a vast diversity of discipline and thought, embracing and nurturing all the talent we have available, regardless of gender, race or other protected status.

## Biographies

				More About People at NASA                			

### Katherine G. Johnson

Being handpicked to be one of three black students to integrate West Virginia’s graduate schools is something that many people would consider one of their life’s most notable moments, but it’s just one of several breakthroughs that have marked Katherine Johnson’s long and remarkable life. 

Read Her Biography

### Mary W. Jackson

Mary’s own path to an engineering career at the NASA Langley Research Center was far from direct. A native of Hampton, Virginia, she graduated from Hampton Institute in 1942 with a dual degree in Math and Physical Sciences, and accepted a job as a math teacher at a black school in Calvert County, Maryland. 

Read Her Biography

### Dorothy Vaughan

Dorothy Vaughan came to the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in 1943, during the height of World War II, leaving her position as the math teacher at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, VA to take what she believed would be a temporary war job.

Read Her Biography

## NASA’s Modern History Makers

The NASA’s Modern History Makers series highlights members of NASA Glenn’s workforce who make our remarkable missions possible.
				Learn More                                     about NASA’s Modern History Makers

### A Hidden Figure of History

Hidden Figures actress Janelle Monáe introduces Mary Jackson, who worked at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia during Project Mercury. Learn about NASA’s Hidden Figures and its Modern Figures making history today.
				Visit the Modern Figures Video Playlist                 			

## Modern Figures: Education Resources

The NASA Modern Figures Toolkit is a collection of resources and educational activities for students in grades K-12. Resources highlighted include videos, historical references and STEM materials.
				Get the Toolkit                                     about Modern Figures: Education Resources

## Hidden Figures Stories

				More NASA News                			

Article2 Min Read
‘Hidden Figures’ Honored at U.S. Capitol for Congressional Gold Medal

Article5 Min Read
West Virginia NASA Facility Renamed After Agency Icon

3 Min Read
Katherine Johnson’s STEM Contributions Marked on her 103rd Birthday
Article4 Min Read
Katherine Johnson Honored by Group at Wright Brothers Anniversary Event
Article6 Min Read
At Langley, Admiration and Gratitude Multiply on Katherine Johnson’s 100th Birthday
Article

## Hidden Figures

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## Discover More Topics From NASA

NASA History

Diversity Drives Inclusion

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Katherine Johnson: A NASA Trailblazer