Today being International Women’s Day is an appropriate time to write about the amazing and inspiring film “Hidden Figures”.
This is the story of three African-American women who were vital to NASA’s space programme in the 1960’s. Although their work was crucial, discrimination beause of their gender and race meant they had to fight every step of the way, as well as working damn hard. Their true stories are beautifully portrayed, as is the excitement of the space race. You can’t help wondering why it is that we’ve never heard of these women before! I can only hope that this film will give more young women the confidence to aim high, and to study the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). I’m proud to have a daughter who has succeeded in this area.
In the U.S., today has been designated a Day Without Women, with many women planning to strike, although it’s not entirely clear just what their aims are.
If you’re looking for a way to mark International Women’s Day, you might enjoy hearing Mary Beard talking about Women in Power on the BBC. She links the stories of ancient Greek women such as Clytemnaestra and Lysistrata with today’s female leaders.
“Today’s our special global day.
Remember those who’ve paved the way.”
Their stories in many respects are our stories. Historical perspective gives insight to reality of present time.
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It certainly does, especially when you read in this morning’s ‘Press’ about our gender pay gap. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/90138688/bias-against-women-accounts-for-80-per-cent-of-gender-pay-gap–research
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[…] was intrigued by the film Hidden Figures which related an aspect of women’s history previously unknown to me, so when this book […]
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