This review is regarding Hidden Figures, written by the brilliant Margot Lee Shetterly. This book grasped the idea of African American women from the 1940s through the 1960s. And how they, during their span at the Langley Research Center, dealt with the white prejudice who perpetuate the segregation of African Americans. To specify, throughout the book they used the term double Vs, each describing the victory of the war and a victory for integration. A campaign that originated through the African-American newspaper Pittsburgh Courier as they said “Let coloured Americans adopt the double VV for a double victory; the first v for victory over our enemies from without, the second v for victory over our enemies within.
Nevertheless, this story transpires with Dorthy Vaughan, a math teacher at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, VA, and married to Howard Vaughan. Prior to being enrolled in Langley, she worked in a WW2 campsite for temporary pay. Though, by being enrolled as a computer in west computing at NACA (aerodynamics not space research) for Margie Hannah, she was working at “a very, very good job for a black person.” Yet, segregation and racism were not alien to Langley, as there were still segregated workplaces (east computing/white: west computing/black), segregated bathrooms, and a segregated dining hall. Though, Dorthy made a name for herself. As after Winston Blanche (the supervisor at Langley) fell mentally ill in 1949, caused by Schizophrenia drugs Dorothy replaced her. An accomplishment that was dire for her success at Langley and all west computing. Yet, by the year 1958 west computing came to the end as it was believed to be a segregated area. Hence why Dorthy found herself a seat in building 1268 working side by side with east computing.
In addition to Dorthy, this story brought the span of Marie Jackson at Langley. As the principal with most black people at Langley, Marie originated at west computing. Yet later, with influence from Dorthy, she was promoted to an engineer by her long-lasting supervisor Kaz Czarnecki. In addition to her career in Langley she grew up in Hampton, Virginia, and later began her life with Levi Jackson.
One of the most memorable aspects of the book was when an employee removed colours only sign in the dining hall, as she was infuriated with the segregation that was a part of Langley.
Lastly, this story brings the period of Katherine Goblem at Langly's research centre. As said throughout this book and the most important building in Langley, Katherine began her participation with NASA in west computing. Initially married to James Goble, till he fell ill with a tumour, she married James Johnson. Nevertheless, after her span in west computing, she was promoted to building 1244, working as a computer among the white supremacists that disowned and discriminated against her. In addition to this, her supervisors were Ted Spekonskity in addition to Henry Pearson. While the space race transpired, against Soviet Russia, she was involved with the process of bringing a man to space and, in fact, did the equations that landed the ship. Yet, even if she was able to pursue her passion as a black woman in America, the double standards were not opposed. As she was unable to be in the room where charts and equations were determined, partially due to being black and a woman.
The Hidden Figures was a brilliant book as it brought insight into segregation during the 1940s through the ’60s.
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