Hidden Figures
Pierre COTTENCEAU
Directeur Technique et R&T - EVP Engineering, Research & Technology of Safran Aircraft Engines
I just finished reading Margot Lee Shetterly's book "Hidden Figures", telling the story of some of the "human computers" who took a significant yet forgotten role in the supersonic and space flight adventure during and after World War 2.
They were in charge of performing the complex computations, such as orbital trajectories, before the electronic computers achieved enough maturity to become useful. To do so, they relied on mastering high-level mathematics, with which I am sure most of us would struggle today.
But the other interesting part of the story is that the "human computers" whose life is described by Margot Lee Shetterly were both black and women. Black in the segregated state of Virginia at that time (the story takes place in NACA then NASA center at Langley) and women simultaneously meant overcoming huge hurdles to achieve their potential and aspirations.
I was particularly impressed by Mary Jackson stubbornness to become an engineer, actually the first black woman to do so at NASA. It certainly tells a lot about how much it means to be an engineer, then or now. But what struck me is that, despite the pioneering adventure of Mary Jackson more than sixty years ago, girls and young women are still - relatively speaking - unlikely to choose the engineering and science career (maybe with the exception of biology and medicine). In our engineering teams today, we find it difficult to exceed twenty-five percents of women, with no clear trend upward. There is no good reason for this!!!
Hence we need to keep and grow the hard work of giving equal opportunity to follow this wonderful career path to the girls, not so much by mandating minimum ratio in hiring or management teams, but much more by encouraging girls interest in engineering and science from the youngest age thru school and university to the job market. I am thankful to organisations like "Elles bougent" who took on this incredibly important task in our particular industry. May they succeed in their noble endeavor!
Production Quality Manager at Safran
4 年I inadvertently ran into this article and it is a well written one. I agree with you?: we need to empower women into science from early childhood to higher education. That’s why I am proud to be part of organisations such as ??Elles bougent?? through Safran in order to convey my passion for science and thus attract them into it
CELTA certified "English as a second & foreign language teacher".
5 年I so have enjoyed this movie... One of the best scenes to me is when Mary is petitioning to the state so that she can follow engineering classes : the way she leads the judge to follow her on this is so smart. Does she get in ? Yes : only night classes AND she feels forced to ask whether she has to sit in the back of the class as she comes in, for both not to offend anyone and obey the law. However she will transform it into something a thousand times greater. All my admiration to these women who could be anyone's role models.
Head of Field Services & Flight ops
5 年The part regarding the toilets being segregated really shocked me. Those women are really extraordinary. Last time I started an event with Elles Bougent in a Highschool, I asked if those name were known. On 100 young ladies, only one knew Katherine Johnson. There is still a lot to be done to educate youngster and show them that women have all legitimity within science.?
Thanks for that support Pierre ! When I went out of engineering school , we were less than 7% women doing that job , and I was very grateful to such brave women for having created the path. Societal changes need entrepreneurs, inspiring people like them Our society has moved a lot since 1990’s, but girls are still not choosing as much technical jobs in the industry as their talents could lead them to, since it is not so easy to project yourself in a place where more than 75% of technical decisions are taken by men. Before to grow from a minority, you first need to feel as a group, then as a recognized group, then as an influencing group. Then you will feel more comfortable acting yourself for being part of a mindset change. Not all girls have those exceptional talents, nor not all boys; it is great they are not hidden anymore ;parents, teachers, Netflix can give inspiration to anybody to develop our skills , whatever they are
Program Support Manager -- Boeing Wheels & Brakes chez Safran Landing Systems
5 年Funny that I just read this book too this month after having seen the movie. As described by Pierre, very interesting with regards to the role these black women played at NASA. As an engineer, the first chapters on the development of NACA Langley research center are also worth reading.