So, I’m home for winter break and I’m bored—what else is there to do but see movies. I went to a few movies this break and one preview stuck out to me. It was for "Hidden Figures." Now, when I want something, chances are I’ll coerce my way into getting it. The film came out the day before I was supposed to leave for school, so, of course, I kept bugging my mother until she agreed to play hooky from work and go see it with me. It was more than worth it.

The film follows three brilliant mathematicians played by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Mońae. NASA used their talent as the brains behind the race to space. These African-American women were underpaid, underappreciated, and virtually unrecognized for their work. The film isn’t in your face, yet it shows the injustice these “human computers” faced as some of the greatest minds in NASA’s history. The film focuses on John Glenn’s launch into orbit and his safe return. The writers of this film did an outstanding job showing the whole of these women as best they could. They showed both their personal and professional lives and how they intertwined to make them the historical figures they are now being recognized as today.

The reason this film was truly a standout wasn’t because of the story, but the way it was told. While the story is phenomenal and inspirational on its own, the production of this film made the issues of the time clear without making the same issues the whole story.

Katherine G. Johnson (Henson) is a brilliant mathematician who worked as the sole woman in her office to come up with the calculations to bring a man home from orbiting the earth. She realized early in the film that she had to be strong because just accepting things the way that they are will never create a change. As the only person of color and woman in her office, she was belittled and looked down upon. She had to prove that she could do double what everyone else could do with half the information they had, and she did just that. She showed the boss that she was the most brilliant mind in every room he let her into. She gained the confidence of John Glenn himself and definitively was a part of changing history.

Dorothy Vaughan (Spencer) took initiative. At the start of the film, you automatically assume she’s in charge. She’s seen giving out assignments, pushing those around her to be better, and helping them when they face adversity. Yet, she’s not the supervisor, she just does the work of one but doesn’t reap the benefits of having the title. She applies for supervisor, pushes to become the supervisor and when that doesn’t happen she’s discouraged. Then she realizes computers are going to take their jobs, the human computers can’t keep up with machines. So, what does she do? Learn how to program the computer. Vaughan is just another example of when one door is slammed in your face you should look up and find the next door. She continued to care for those around her while pushing herself and others to become so good no one could deny their value.

Mary Jackson (Mońae) decided she could be the first. Being the first do to something is scary. There’s no precedent and therefore you’ve got to create one. Jackson had the brain of an engineer but couldn’t be one because she was not only a woman but a black woman. Those around her saw it the same way, impossible. Her husband and other women at NASA just couldn’t imagine something that hadn’t happened before, but Jackson could. She petitioned to be allowed to take advanced night classes though a white high school. She pushed herself when nobody else would.

When watching the credits it was inspirational to see that the screenplay was written by Allison Schroder and based on a book by Margot Lee Shetterly. The film’s director Theodore Melfi also contributed to the writing of the screenplay. The film was produced in part by Pharrell Williams and it’s executive producer was Renne Witt, who also produced "Silver Linings Playbook" and "The Fundamentals of Caring." Seven of the twelve producers on the film were women, which is far higher than the industry average of 26% female producers. It’s amazing to see a film about strong women that has strong women behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera.

This film inspired me to no end. It reminded me that just because someone says you can’t do it doesn’t make it so. I’ve personally never been the only girl in the room but seeing striking visuals of just that made me realize that no woman should ever be the only woman in the room. There are capable women everywhere who just need to be pushed to their fullest potential. I realized that nothing comes easy and even when you work hard you may not get what you deserve. I learned to never give up. This film says so much about race, gender, perseverance, legacy, and love. It’s inspirational, motivational, and extremely exceptional.

Here's the trailer for the film if you need a little more convincing: