I finally got around to watching the movie Hidden Figures this weekend. It got me thinking about how much has changed in the last 50 to 100 years: in particular when it comes to civil rights, gender equality and technology.
The movie is based on a true story about three African-American mathematicians who played an integral role in NASA before it was ‘acceptable’ to have either blacks or women involved in such a way. These women were truly groundbreakers.
A quote by Helen Keller came to mind while I was watching: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
There will always be areas where the ground needs breaking. And there will always be individuals willing to break that ground. We don’t want our students to place limits on what they can do. We want them to go out and do it!
Good perspective to pass on to students, especially females: Keep up the groundbreaking work teachers!