‘Hidden Figures’ author discusses inspiration for book, hit film

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The author that inspired one of the holiday season’s breakout films helped headline Purdue University’s Martin Luther King Jr. memorial events.

Margot Lee Shetterly, author of "Hidden Figures," spoke Wednesday (Jan. 25) at Loeb Playhouse inside Purdue’s Stewart Center. The book and film pay tribute to the African-American female mathematicians, engineers and computer scientists who played a key role in the early years of NASA. “Hidden Figures” showcases the talents of the women of the segregated West Area Computers division of the Langley Research Center, concentrating on the trio of mathematics geniuses Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. Their work was integral in the space race era and helped fuel projects Mercury and Apollo.

“In many circles their role has been all but forgotten, but their story is compelling and well worth hearing and sharing,” said Department of Mathematics head Greg Buzzard. “Ms. Shetterly's appearance at Purdue provides us a glimpse into the lives of these fascinating women and into her role in sharing their story.” 

Using this team’s calculations, NASA caught up to the Russians in the space race and allowed John Glenn to become the first American astronaut to make a complete orbit of Earth. Johnson received a 2015 Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. The medal is one the highest citizen honors in the nation. In May, NASA commemorated Johnson, 98, for her contributions by naming a computer facility within Langley Center in her honor. She was only the second woman to receive such an honor from NASA.

“Hidden Figures” was brought to movie theaters nationwide by director Theodore Melfi and has earned three Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress and Best Writing Adapted Screenplay. The cast includes A-listers Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons.

A Virginia native and daughter of a NASA research scientist, Shetterly has also established The Human Computer Project, an endeavor that is recovering the names and accomplishments of all of the women who worked as computer scientists, mathematicians, scientists and engineers at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and NASA from the 1930s through the 1980s. 

“We are honored to share this story with the Purdue community as we continue to seek ways to broaden participation by women and underrepresented minority students in STEM disciplines,” said Renee Thomas, director of the Purdue Black Cultural Center. “Shetterly helps us change our perception of what a scientist looks like, what a mathematician looks like and who’s capable of doing that work at the highest level.” 

Shetterly’s appearance was sponsored by the College of Science, College of Engineering, Graduate School, Black Cultural Center, Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics, Department of Computer Science, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and School of Aeronautical and Astronautics.

Writer: Tim Brouk, tbrouk@purdue.edu, 765-496-1682

Contact: Wendi Ailor, waailor@prf.org, 765-494-0586