If you thought the story of Hidden Figures was done evolving, think again.
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson began their legacy as uncredited African-American women behind the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, in the 1960s. Today, their extraordinary achievements can no longer go ignored behind the critically acclaimed non-fiction film and NASA's latest venture.
The space exploration program has decided to rename their headquarter's street "Hidden Figures Way." The three mathematicians, who were instrumental in breaking racial and gender barriers, attended the unveiling along with "Hidden Figures" author Margot Lee Shetterly and family members.
Senator Ted Cruz spoke on the pathway these legendary women made for future leaders.
“A street sign is a piece of metal, that’s under the wind, sun, rain, snow. But a street sign’s a lot more than that. Because for years, and then decades, and then centuries, when little girls and little boys come to see NASA, they’re going to look up and see that sign, and they’re going to say ‘Hidden Figures? What’s that? What does that mean?’ And that, in turn, is going to prompt a story – a story about the unlimited human potential of all of us.”
Margot also added:
“Naming this street Hidden Figures Way serves to remind us, and everyone who comes here, of the standard that was set by these women, with their commitment to science and their embodiment of the values of equality, justice and humanity. But, let it also remind us of the Hidden Figures way, which is to open our eyes to contribution of the people around us so that their names, too, are the ones that we remember at the end of the story.”
Congrats Queens! We Salute you on a job well done!!
Photo: Girls Who Code Instagram (@girlswhocode)
Video: NBCWashington Twitter (nbcwashington)