Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly: A Book Summary of The Untold Story of NASA’s Black Women Mathematicians

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Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly Quotes

1. Now, at just thirty-eight years old, she found herself a widow and a mother, but also a professional still in the early days of realizing her long-held dream.

2. Through its inability to solve its racial problems, the United

3. Ideals without practical solutions were empty promises

4. And Dorothy was of an unusually independent mind, impatient with the pretensions that sometimes accompanied the upwardly mobile members of the race.

5. Their goal wasn’t to stand out because of their differences; it was to fit in because of their talent.

6. The cruelty of racial prejudice was so often accompanied by absurdity, a tangle of arbitrary rules and distinctions that subverted the shared interests of people who had been taught to see themselves as irreconcilably different.

7. They turned their desks into a trigonometric war room, poring over equations scrawling ideas on blackboards, evaluating their work, erasing it, starting over.

8. We are never going to sing this again,” she told them, trying to explain her reasoning to the surprised youngsters. The song reinforced all the crudest stereotypes of what a Negro could do or be. Sometimes, she knew, the most important battles for dignity, pride, and progress were fought with the simplest of actions.

9. Their path to advancement might look less like a straight line and more like some of the pressure distributions and orbits they plotted, but they were determined to take a seat at the table.

10. Their dark skin, their gender, their economic status–none of those were acceptable excuses for not giving the fullest rein to their imaginations and ambitions.

11. I changed what I could, and what I couldn’t, I endured.

12. Women, on the other hand, had to wield their intellects like a scythe, hacking away against the stubborn underbrush of low expectations.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly Table Of Contents

1. A Door Opens
2. Mobilization
3. Past Is Prologue
4. The Double V
5. Manifest Destiny
6. War Birds
7. The duration
8. Those Who Move Forward
9. Breaking Barriers
10. Home by the Sea
11. The Area Rule
12. Serendipity
13. Turbulence
14. Angle of Attack
15. Young, Gifted, and Black
16. What a Difference a Day Makes
17. Outer Space
18. With All Deliberate Speed
19. Model Behavior
20. Degrees of Freedom
21. Out of the Past, the Future
22. America Is for Everybody
23. To Boldly Go

• Epilogue
• Acknowledgments
• Bibliography
• Notes
• Index
• About the Author

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly: A Book Summary of The Untold Story of NASA’s Black Women Mathematicians

Chapter 1: A Door Opens

Melvin Butler, the personnel officer at Langley Research Center, was responsible for hiring mathematicians and engineers. With the U.S. entering World War II, there was a growing demand for skilled workers, leading to the recruitment of Black women as “computers.”

These women were allowed to work in aeronautical research, though they were segregated into the West Computing section. One of the first recruits, Dorothy Vaughan, quickly established herself as a skilled mathematician, despite facing racial and gender barriers. The chapter sets the stage for how these women would go on to break barriers in a male-dominated field.

Chapter 2: Mobilization

As the U.S. entered World War II, Langley Research Center needed more workers to support the war effort. This led to the recruitment of Black women mathematicians, known as the “West Computers.” Dorothy Vaughan, a mathematics teacher, left her job to join Langley, seizing the opportunity for a better salary.

The chapter highlights the impact of the war on job opportunities for women and minorities, showing how the urgent demand for labor forced institutions to reconsider racial and gender barriers. Although Dorothy and her colleagues were now employed in prestigious positions, they were still subjected to segregation and discrimination in the workplace.

The mobilization of these women into roles at Langley marked the beginning of a major shift in opportunities for African Americans and women in STEM fields.

Chapter 3: Past Is Prologue

Dorothy Vaughan’s journey to NASA is placed within a broader historical context. She had grown up in a world where Black individuals were expected to work in menial jobs. However, her education and persistence allowed her to defy these expectations. The chapter explores how segregation and discrimination shaped the lives of African Americans and how policies like Executive Order 8802, which prohibited racial discrimination in the defense industry, opened new doors.

Dorothy’s move to Langley represented a chance to rewrite history for herself and others. However, despite their qualifications, the Black female mathematicians still faced racial and gender biases at work. The chapter sets the stage for the struggles and triumphs that would follow.

Chapter 4: The Double V

The “Double V” campaign stood for victory abroad (against the Axis powers) and victory at home (against racial segregation). The Black female computers at Langley embodied this dual fight. They were proving their worth in aeronautical research while also challenging racial norms. Despite working on critical wartime projects, they were still forced to use separate bathrooms and cafeterias. The chapter explores how they balanced their scientific work with the fight for civil rights.

It also highlights the growing awareness among African Americans that their contributions to the war effort should translate into equal rights. Dorothy Vaughan and her colleagues recognized that their employment at Langley was an important step forward, but true equality remained elusive.

Chapter 5: Manifest Destiny

This chapter explores the growing role of aviation and aerospace in shaping America’s future. As technology advanced, Langley became a hub for scientific research, requiring the expertise of skilled mathematicians and engineers.

The chapter details how the women at Langley played an essential role in testing aircraft designs that would later be crucial to the war and post-war aviation industry. Despite their critical contributions, Black women continued to face barriers that their white colleagues did not.

However, the demand for excellence in the industry meant that their work spoke louder than their racial identity. The chapter sets the foundation for the transition from wartime aeronautics to the emerging space race.

Chapter 6: War Birds

The chapter discusses how the women at Langley supported America’s efforts in World War II by working on projects that improved fighter planes. Their calculations helped optimize aircraft performance, making them faster and more efficient. As the war continued, Langley expanded its workforce, bringing in more women, including African Americans, to support aeronautical research. Dorothy Vaughan became a key figure in mentoring recruits.

Chapter 7: The Duration

With the war coming to an end, many women at Langley feared losing their jobs. Traditionally, women had been expected to return to domestic roles once men came back from war. However, the importance of aeronautical research ensured that many mathematicians remained employed. Dorothy Vaughan, in particular, secured a permanent position and continued advocating for her fellow Black women.

Chapter 8: Those Who Move Forward

The chapter highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the face of changing technology. It also shows how some women at Langley moved forward in their careers while others were forced to leave.

Chapter 9: Breaking Barriers

The 1950s saw progress in the fight against segregation, but discrimination remained a reality for many Black workers at Langley. However, talented women like Katherine Johnson began gaining recognition for their skills. Johnson’s work on calculating orbital trajectories would later be instrumental in the space race.

This chapter focuses on how the perseverance of these women helped them break racial and gender barriers, paving the way for more opportunities in STEM fields.

Chapter 10: Home by the Sea

Langley Research Center was located in Hampton, Virginia, a city with a long history of Black achievement. The chapter explores how the city’s Black community supported one another in the face of segregation. Women like Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson found strength in their community, which provided them with the resilience needed to navigate workplace challenges. The chapter also emphasizes the role of historically Black colleges in training a generation of scientists and engineers.

Chapter 11: The Area Rule

The chapter introduces Christine Darden, one of the next-generation Black women at NASA who became an expert in supersonic flight. It explores how her research in aerodynamics contributed to advances in aircraft technology. The “area rule” was a breakthrough that improved jet performance, and Darden’s expertise in this field allowed her to make significant contributions. This chapter highlights how new opportunities emerged for Black women as NASA shifted toward space exploration.

Chapter 12: Serendipity

This chapter highlights the unexpected opportunities that shaped the careers of the Black women at NASA. Katherine Johnson, in particular, benefited from a chance reassignment to the Flight Research Division, where her skills in analytic geometry set her apart. While women in the computing department were generally expected to perform calculations without questioning the process, Johnson’s curiosity and expertise led her to actively participate in discussions with engineers.

Over time, her contributions gained recognition, and she played a crucial role in verifying calculations for space missions. The chapter emphasizes the role of both talent and timing in breaking barriers and how Johnson’s persistence allowed her to seize opportunities that were not initially meant for women or Black employees.

Chapter 13: Turbulence

The turbulence metaphor in this chapter represents both the technical challenges in aerodynamics and the societal upheavals occurring in the 1950s and 1960s. While NASA engineers worked to solve issues related to aircraft stability and efficiency, the country was experiencing racial and gender-based conflicts. The chapter discusses the ongoing struggles of Black women at NASA, who faced institutionalized discrimination despite their growing contributions.

Mary Jackson, determined to advance her career, sought additional engineering courses, but segregation laws initially prevented her from attending classes at an all-white school. Her persistence in challenging these barriers mirrors the broader civil rights movement, demonstrating how individuals like her helped pave the way for structural change.

Chapter 14: Angle of Attack

This chapter delves into the technical work that NASA’s mathematicians and engineers performed, particularly in spaceflight calculations. Katherine Johnson played a key role in determining the angle of attack—the angle at which a spacecraft re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere without burning up or bouncing off. Her calculations became crucial in ensuring the safety of astronauts. At the same time, the chapter highlights the personal struggles and professional challenges that Black women faced, including the constant pressure to prove their worth in a male-dominated field. The chapter illustrates the intersection of scientific excellence and the fight for inclusion, showing how Johnson’s work directly contributed to the success of America’s space program.

Chapter 15: Young, Gifted, and Black

This chapter celebrates the rising achievements of Black professionals in STEM fields during the civil rights era. It focuses on the younger generation of Black women at NASA, including Christine Darden, who entered the agency with a background in aerodynamics and sought to make her mark in supersonic flight research.

The title, referencing the famous phrase popularized by Nina Simone, encapsulates the growing confidence and visibility of African Americans in intellectual and scientific spaces. Despite progress, challenges remained, and many Black employees still had to fight for promotions and recognition.

The chapter highlights the dual battle for scientific discovery and racial equality, underscoring the broader societal changes taking place during this period.

Chapter 16: What a Difference a Day Makes

This chapter explores the moments when history changed overnight due to advancements in space technology. It discusses how the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957 shocked the U.S. into accelerating its space program. NASA was formed soon after, and the need for skilled mathematicians and engineers increased. The chapter also highlights how these changes affected the Black women working at NASA, as their expertise became even more critical. With the pressure of the space race mounting, more women, including Black mathematicians, were given opportunities to contribute at higher levels. However, despite these advancements, systemic barriers still hindered complete equality in the workplace.

Chapter 17: Outer Space

This chapter delves into NASA’s transition from aeronautics to space exploration. The focus is on how human computers like Katherine Johnson became essential to orbital mechanics. Johnson’s calculations for John Glenn’s Mercury-Atlas 6 mission became a defining moment in space history. The astronaut himself insisted that she personally verify the computer-generated numbers before his flight. This moment represented a breakthrough not just for Johnson, but for all the women who had been fighting to be recognized for their intellectual contributions. The chapter illustrates how space exploration provided a new frontier not just for America, but for women and minorities in STEM.

Chapter 18: With All Deliberate Speed

The chapter title is taken from the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which ordered schools to desegregate “with all deliberate speed.” It draws parallels between the slow but steady progress in racial integration and NASA’s evolving workforce policies.

The chapter examines how NASA was slowly becoming more inclusive, but still had a long way to go. Despite legal victories, workplace discrimination persisted. Christine Darden’s struggle to transition from a data analyst to an engineer reflects these ongoing challenges. However, the chapter also highlights the resilience of Black women who continued to push forward despite institutional resistance.

Chapter 19: Model Behavior

Christine Darden emerges as a central figure in this chapter, as she transitions from a mathematician to an engineer specializing in supersonic flight. She worked on designing aircraft that could minimize the disruptive effects of sonic booms, a major issue in aviation. Her journey reflects the shift from human computing to a more modern, technology-driven NASA. Darden’s persistence in advocating for herself and her expertise allowed her to break through gender and racial barriers. The chapter emphasizes how the next generation of Black women at NASA took advantage of the doors opened by pioneers like Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson.

Chapter 20: Degrees of Freedom

The concept of “degrees of freedom” applies both to aerodynamics and to the social changes happening in America. In-flight mechanics, it refers to the independent movements of an object. In the social context, it symbolizes the increasing freedom and opportunities for Black women at NASA. The chapter explores how these women gained more agency in their careers, but still faced obstacles. The space program was reaching new heights with missions like Apollo, yet many of the same workplace struggles persisted.

Despite these barriers, the contributions of Black women were becoming undeniable, setting the stage for even greater advancements.

Chapter 21: Out of the Past, the Future

This chapter reflects on how history often overlooks key contributors, especially women and minorities. It discusses how the work of Black female mathematicians was largely hidden from public view, despite its significance. However, their legacy continued to inspire future generations. The chapter also looks at the shifting cultural perceptions of who belongs in STEM. It highlights the need for continued efforts in promoting diversity and ensuring that contributions from all backgrounds are recognized. By reclaiming the history of these women, the book challenges traditional narratives of scientific progress.

Chapter 22: America Is for Everybody

The final full chapter of the book examines the broader implications of diversity and inclusion in science and technology. It argues that the success of the American space program was due in part to the diverse talents of people from all backgrounds. The chapter emphasizes how true progress comes from recognizing and uplifting all contributors, regardless of race or gender. The story of the Black women at NASA serves as both an inspiration and a call to action, reminding us that innovation thrives when opportunities are available to everyone.

Chapter 23: To Boldly Go

The chapter captures the historic moment of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, as the Black women at Langley gathered to watch the televised event. The landing symbolized the culmination of decades of work, much of which had been done by the mathematicians of West Computing. Katherine Johnson’s calculations had played a key role in ensuring the mission’s success. The chapter also reflects on the broader changes in American society, including desegregation and the gradual recognition of the contributions of women and minorities. It serves as a triumphant conclusion to the journey of these remarkable women.

About the Author: Margot Lee Shetterly

Margot Lee Shetterly is a writer and researcher who grew up in Hampton, Virginia. She had personal exposure to the women of Hidden Figures through her father, who worked as a research scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Shetterly is an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow and has received a Virginia Foundation for the Humanities grant for her research on the history of women in computing. She currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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