I usually stick to book recommendations in this blog—mostly those books of roughly the same genre as my own. But I’m making an exception today by recommending a movie to my fans: Hidden Figures. You’ve got to see it!
The connection to my books is thematic.
Both my books and the movie are about female outsiders, or underdogs, who find themselves involved in a truly worthy pursuit, and who give everything they’ve got to accomplish it. In the process, not only are deep bonds formed, but also, by believing in each other, they are better able to believe in themselves, and to succeed. It’s about blazing a trail for girls!
Hidden Figures is based on real-life events. It tells of three African American women mathematicians who worked at N.A.S.A. during the Space Race of the 1960’s. The film doesn’t focus on the other pivotal race issues and events of that time, but as an audience, we know the tenuous ground these three women stand on, and we are cheering for them every step of the way.
I was so moved by the very first scene, I cried.
It’s a flashback where eight-year-old (?) Katherine Goble is sent to the chalkboard to solve a math problem in an already advanced class. Her brilliance is mind-boggling. When it is recognized by her teachers, and her parents pick up and move to help her get the best education possible—that’s when I cried. It’s so wonderful to see children’s gifts recognized and supported early on!
What each of my characters: Piper, Pudge. Zonk, Midge, Stinky, Flim, Flam, and Thumb, wouldn’t have given to have parents alive who recognized their unique gifts and celebrated them!
It might be the greatest takeaway from the film for me—certainly the exciting opportunities that come our way matter, and those pursuits truly worth pursuing— but perhaps even more, the profound impact of being truly seen and celebrated for who we are by those we love, is foundational.
Of course, I am tickled pink to know now what I didn’t know before: there were African American women who helped our astronauts travel into space and return home safely!