Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Presents
MPR News Staff

Author Margot Lee Shetterly speaks about 'Hidden Figures' like Katherine Johnson of NASA

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA, contributed to NACA and NASA programs from 1953 to 1986. The was the first woman to receive credit as an author of a Flight Research Division report in 1960, contributing to many programs involving orbital mechanics. She was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
NASA

Margot Lee Shetterly, author of "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race," was the Distinguished Carlson Lecturer at the University of Minnesota on Friday.

Presented by the University of Minnesota Humphrey School, Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation, the presentation included a discussion with Shetterly and Michele Norris, executive director of The Race Card Project at the Aspen Institute.

The two discussed the many ways women and people of color have contributed to American innovation and explored the prejudice and bias they had to fight against along the way.

To hear that discussion, click the first audio player above.

Additional content

Recently, a joint production by the Washington Post and APM reports, titled "Historically Black," featured the story of Miriam Daniel Mann, who removed the signs designating areas for "colored computers" while working at Langley Airfield.

To hear that feature, click this link to APM Reports’ page.

Shetterly's bestselling book is the inspiration for the 2016 film "Hidden Figures," which was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.