After watching this film for the second time and deciding that this is a must buy on DVD when it is released, to say that this movie blew me away would be an understatement, but the truth is, it really did. The characters played by Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Octavia Spencer were incredible. While there were many opportunities for scenarios to be overdone, the writers made sure that each woman’s experience and the woman, received equal screen time. It is no wonder that this movie has received so many Oscar nominations.
The tenacity of these three women when itcame to facing life’s obstacles head on, when the world told them no, seeing opportunity in that no, and handling everything with a class that is rare in today’s world, and is something we all could learn a thing or two from.
Here are 5 ways that we all can be Hidden Figures in our time.
1. Always stand up for your friends
Katherine, Mary, and Dorothy were true power houses. From their classy wardrobe to their fascinating brains, it was clear that they could handle any task placed in front of them, but what initially stood out to me during the film was the love and friendship for one another. In the scene where Katherine had to stay late and ended up having a bad day due to her boss’ goal of getting the first man to space, Dorothy and Mary were outside of Dorothy’s car waiting for her, even if they didn’t like it.
In that same scene, Dorothy rebuked Katherine for doubting her ability to get America’s first rocket to space and Mary’s insecurity around being an engineer. These women exemplified that teamwork and having someone to share your vision with is irreplaceable. They leaned on one another, cried with one another, and laughed with one another. They were each other’s biggest cheerleaders during trying times, which allowed all three of them to pursue their goals and make history.
2. Don’t forget those who helped you succeed
While this theme was subtle throughout the entire movie, it was crystal clear when Dorothy Vaughn finally received her supervisor role and immediately turned it down once she found out she couldn’t take her team with her. Her ability to realize that she didn’t get where she was by herself and that her girls could be out of job once she left the department and wasn’t there to fight for them anymore was a skill that elevated the entire group of ladies. This was my favorite scene in the movie because progress is not something that happens, it takes people who are willing to fight for it, continue to ask for it, and once they receive it, help lift up others to the same opportunities.
This is a lesson that we all could learn in 2017 as we achieve our goals and milestones. Never forget those who started with you because when we succeed individually that success is a result of those who helped shaped us and contribute their own insights to our lives.
3.Handle all obstacles with finesse
Whether it was the scene where Mary, got her shoe stuck in vent while the rocket was being tested., Katherine having to run back and forth to use the restroom in heels, or Dorothy constantly referring to Kirsten Duntz’s character as Ms. Mitchell despite her blatant disrespect for her, these women always exuded poise. They did not take off their heels when their feet were hurting, or display disrespect even when they were being treated as second class citizens, and they did not let a shoe or any other obstacle stop them from their goals and being the smartest person in the room.
4.Never stop learning
The moment Dorothy learned what the International Business Machine could do, she lost no time on wondering where her next gig was going to come from. She understood that she had to look beyond what was in front of her and see future needs. Her tenacity to learn the IBM machine and teach the other women, is an example of learning something new, despite expectations. She could have twiddled her thumbs, allowing Mrs. Mitchell to give her another assignment when she saw fit, but instead Dorothy took the initiative and she learned all she could about the machine.
In a world where everything is so digital, strive to learn something about everything. New businesses, organizations, and gadgets are sprouting up everywhere and they will need informed and useful people to move them forward. It is in everyone’s interest to take time to learn something new about our expanding world. Be a Dorothy in your current role and find a need, learn more about it, and present it to your team. You never know where that can lead you. Learning never stops once a role is secured, in fact it’s those who continue to learn throughout their roles that make it to the top.
5. Never let anyone think that injustice is acceptable
In another scene where Vivian Michael and Dorothy Vaughn are in the bathroom and Vivian tells Dorothy, “Despite what you think, I have no problem with you all.” And Dorothy gracefully responds, “I know. I know you would like to believe that,” and politely leaves the restroom. This was one the most important scene because while it shows that there will always be people who are oblivious to serious issues in the world. While the film depicted racial struggles in the 60s, today’s response should be no different. There are still many injustices in the world from over populated prisons to babies being aborted in the third trimester. While we are arguably not segregated, we should not let people think that these acts of injustices are warranted. Now more than ever, we should never allow people to think that their prejudices are justified.
The tenacity of these three women when itcame to facing life’s obstacles head on, when the world told them no, seeing opportunity in that no, and handling everything with a class that is rare in today’s world, and is something we all could learn a thing or two from.
Here are 5 ways that we all can be Hidden Figures in our time.
1. Always stand up for your friends
Katherine, Mary, and Dorothy were true power houses. From their classy wardrobe to their fascinating brains, it was clear that they could handle any task placed in front of them, but what initially stood out to me during the film was the love and friendship for one another. In the scene where Katherine had to stay late and ended up having a bad day due to her boss’ goal of getting the first man to space, Dorothy and Mary were outside of Dorothy’s car waiting for her, even if they didn’t like it.
In that same scene, Dorothy rebuked Katherine for doubting her ability to get America’s first rocket to space and Mary’s insecurity around being an engineer. These women exemplified that teamwork and having someone to share your vision with is irreplaceable. They leaned on one another, cried with one another, and laughed with one another. They were each other’s biggest cheerleaders during trying times, which allowed all three of them to pursue their goals and make history.
2. Don’t forget those who helped you succeed
While this theme was subtle throughout the entire movie, it was crystal clear when Dorothy Vaughn finally received her supervisor role and immediately turned it down once she found out she couldn’t take her team with her. Her ability to realize that she didn’t get where she was by herself and that her girls could be out of job once she left the department and wasn’t there to fight for them anymore was a skill that elevated the entire group of ladies. This was my favorite scene in the movie because progress is not something that happens, it takes people who are willing to fight for it, continue to ask for it, and once they receive it, help lift up others to the same opportunities.
This is a lesson that we all could learn in 2017 as we achieve our goals and milestones. Never forget those who started with you because when we succeed individually that success is a result of those who helped shaped us and contribute their own insights to our lives.
3.Handle all obstacles with finesse
Whether it was the scene where Mary, got her shoe stuck in vent while the rocket was being tested., Katherine having to run back and forth to use the restroom in heels, or Dorothy constantly referring to Kirsten Duntz’s character as Ms. Mitchell despite her blatant disrespect for her, these women always exuded poise. They did not take off their heels when their feet were hurting, or display disrespect even when they were being treated as second class citizens, and they did not let a shoe or any other obstacle stop them from their goals and being the smartest person in the room.
4.Never stop learning
The moment Dorothy learned what the International Business Machine could do, she lost no time on wondering where her next gig was going to come from. She understood that she had to look beyond what was in front of her and see future needs. Her tenacity to learn the IBM machine and teach the other women, is an example of learning something new, despite expectations. She could have twiddled her thumbs, allowing Mrs. Mitchell to give her another assignment when she saw fit, but instead Dorothy took the initiative and she learned all she could about the machine.
In a world where everything is so digital, strive to learn something about everything. New businesses, organizations, and gadgets are sprouting up everywhere and they will need informed and useful people to move them forward. It is in everyone’s interest to take time to learn something new about our expanding world. Be a Dorothy in your current role and find a need, learn more about it, and present it to your team. You never know where that can lead you. Learning never stops once a role is secured, in fact it’s those who continue to learn throughout their roles that make it to the top.
5. Never let anyone think that injustice is acceptable
In another scene where Vivian Michael and Dorothy Vaughn are in the bathroom and Vivian tells Dorothy, “Despite what you think, I have no problem with you all.” And Dorothy gracefully responds, “I know. I know you would like to believe that,” and politely leaves the restroom. This was one the most important scene because while it shows that there will always be people who are oblivious to serious issues in the world. While the film depicted racial struggles in the 60s, today’s response should be no different. There are still many injustices in the world from over populated prisons to babies being aborted in the third trimester. While we are arguably not segregated, we should not let people think that these acts of injustices are warranted. Now more than ever, we should never allow people to think that their prejudices are justified.