Margot Lee Shetterly Libri

The phenomenal true story of black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations fueled America’s greatest achievements in space is set to become a major motion picture featuring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner. Before John Glenn orbited Earth and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used their skills to calculate the numbers necessary for launching rockets and astronauts into space. Among them were exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation, who were initially relegated to teaching in segregated schools. During World War II, as labor shortages arose in the aeronautics industry, these overlooked math whizzes seized the opportunity to work at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia. Despite facing segregation under Jim Crow laws, the women of Langley’s all-black “West Computing” group played a crucial role in achieving a decisive victory in the Cold War and dominating space exploration. Spanning World War II through the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race, the narrative follows the intertwined stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, highlighting their challenges, alliances, and intellect that transformed their lives and the future of the nation.

Includes P.S. insights, interviews, and more.

The uplifting, amazing true story—a New York Times bestseller This edition of Margot Lee Shetterly’s acclaimed book is perfect for young readers. It is the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program. Now a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner. Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who lived through the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country.

"Hidden Figures" tells the true story of four African American women mathematicians at NASA whose vital calculations contributed to America's space achievements. From their beginnings as math teachers in segregated schools to their groundbreaking roles during WWII and beyond, their inspiring journey unfolds against the backdrop of major historical events.

Set against the backdrop of midcentury Baltimore, this narrative explores the contrasting lives of two families: the respectable Murphys, owners of an influential Afro-American newspaper, and the ambitious Willie Adams, who rises from poverty to build a numbers-running empire. The story spans from the 1930s to the 1970s, highlighting the economic struggles and successes of black Baltimore. It emphasizes the pivotal roles of black women in this era, particularly Victorine Quille and Lillie Mae Jackson, while reflecting on the city's decline and potential for revival.

Sie galten als menschliche Computer und ebneten der Menschheit den Weg auf den Mond: Mai 1943. Noch lange bevor der amerikanische John Glenn die Erde in einem Raumschiff umkreisen und Neil Armstrong auf dem Mond spazieren konnte, berechnet eine Gruppe engagierter Mathematikerinnen mit Bleistift, Lineal und Rechenmaschinen die Zahlen und Formeln für die größten Erfolge der Raumfahrtgeschichte. Die afroamerikanischen Frauen unter ihnen, die von der später als NASA bekannten Raumfahrtbehörde aus Personalnot eingestellt wurden, zählten zu den klügsten Köpfen ihrer Generation. Doch niemand kannte bisher ihre Namen. Erst als Margot Lee Shetterly, deren Vater ebenfalls für die NASA arbeitete, fünfzig Jahre später von ihnen hört und ihre Geschichte aufschreibt, wird klar: Ohne Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson und Christine Darden, wären die Apollo-Missionen nie möglich gewesen. Ein packendes Buch über die wahren Sterne der NASA in einer Zeit, in der rückständige Rassenpolitik auf technischen Fortschritt trifft.