Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures uncovers the story of the women whose work at NACA and NASA helped shape and define U.S. space exploration. Taken as a whole, why is their story significant to our cultural, social, and scientific history?

In what ways does the race for space parallel the civil rights movement? What kinds of freedoms are being explored in each?

In Chapter 23 we learned that some people thought that spending money on space exploration was wasteful when there were so many other problems in the United States. Do you think the U.S. achieved a balance between innovation in space exploration and advancing the civil rights of all its citizens during this time period? Would you have done things differently?

Would you consider NACA and NASA socially progressive institutions for their time? Why or why not?

In advocating for herself to work on the Mercury capsule launch, Katherine says to her bosses, “Tell me where you want the man to land, and I’ll tell you where to send him up.” How are the women in Hidden Figures able to express confidence in their work and abilities? In what ways is that confidence validated by their coworkers? Why is this emotional experience such an important part of their story?