As a teacher of Computer Science and a lover of films that tell stories of resilience and perseverance, Hidden Figures left a lasting impact on me. Watching this film wasn’t just a cinematic experience—it was a reflection exercise that sparked deep admiration and appreciation for the extraordinary African American women who played crucial roles in NASA’s early space missions. These women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—weren’t just brilliant mathematicians and engineers; they were pioneers who overcame the immense barriers of racism and sexism in 1960s America.
There’s one scene in particular that I can’t stop thinking about. Katherine Johnson, portrayed by Taraji P. Henson, is constantly absent from her desk, which frustrates her supervisor, Al Harrison (Kevin Costner). When he confronts her about it, Katherine stands up, visibly exhausted from having to explain herself once again, and reveals that she’s forced to walk more than a mile to use the “coloured women’s” restroom in another building because there are no restrooms available for Black women at NASA. It’s a moment of raw truth. Instead of scolding her, Harrison responds by physically tearing down the “Colored Women” sign, declaring that there will be no more segregated restrooms. It was a powerful moment, but as I watched it, I couldn’t help but feel that it only scratched the surface of what these women truly endured.
While that act was a symbolic step forward, it represented just a small part of the daily struggles they faced—struggles that, even today, resonate in the challenges women, especially women of colour, still confront in workplaces and institutions worldwide.
As I reflected on this, I realised how vital it is to learn from their journeys. The 1960s were a different time—segregation was the law, and opportunities for Black women were minimal, especially in fields like science and technology. But even in today’s world, those barriers haven’t completely disappeared. Understanding how women like Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary shattered those barriers allows us to appreciate the progress we have made while recognising that we still have a long way to go.
In the film, we also see Dorothy Vaughan, played by Octavia Spencer, take matters into her own hands as NASA begins using IBM computers to replace human “computers” (people who performed complex calculations). Dorothy, determined not to be left behind, teaches herself FORTRAN, the programming language used to operate these machines. She not only becomes an expert but also trains her team of African American women, ensuring they too will have a place in this new technological age. Dorothy’s journey into computer programming hit me especially hard because it’s a powerful reminder that the field of computer science, which today still struggles with diversity, owes much of its progress to women like her.
These women were true pioneers of programming, helping NASA navigate the transition into the era of electronic computing. In essence, they laid the groundwork for the field of computer science as we know it. Without their contributions, the technology that helped launch astronauts into space may have been delayed, and the role of women in STEM might have remained in the shadows for even longer.
Watching Hidden Figures reminded me of the importance of representation, not just in the stories we tell but in the fields we work in. It’s a film that not only celebrates the brilliance of Black women in STEM but also challenges us to reflect on the systems that still exist today and ask: How can we break down those barriers for future generations?
As a teacher, this film gave me the opportunity to share the resilience, intelligence, and tenacity of these women with my students. Their stories can inspire a new generation of young people, particularly girls and minorities, to believe that they too can achieve greatness in any field they choose. Hidden Figures is a film that I’ll be urging my students to watch this Black History Month because it beautifully shows how history has been shaped by unsung heroes, whose impact on science, technology, and equality is still felt today.
As Katherine Johnson once said, “I don’t have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I’m as good as anybody, but no better.” Her words resonate deeply, reminding us that true progress comes not just from individual talent, but from the dismantling of the barriers that seek to contain it.
Paty Mogio, Teacher of Computer Science
