Genius has no age, no country, no race; it belongs to mankind.

-Kelly Miller

It’s January 15, 2017, MLK day, an unusually warm day in Atlanta, Georgia. I entered the Stonecrest Mall AMC movie theater with my daughter and her Girl Scout Troop. I’d waited weeks to see Hidden Figures. As an avid movie goer, it was painful to wait to see the movie with the girls and their mothers. I wanted to see the movie opening night! Yet, I waited to experience the movie with my daughter’s troop.

As the lights dimmed and the coming attractions played, I sat eagerly in anticipation waiting on Hidden Figures. Finally, the movie began! Little did I know, my life would forever be changed. On the edge of my seat, I watched as Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae brilliantly portrayed the story of three beautiful, black, intelligent women.

I shed tears as I watched Taraji’s character run back and forth to the restroom. I cheered as Octavia Spencer’s and Janelle Monae’s characters triumphed. I wanted to stand and shout when the “colored computers” proved they were worthy and capable of doing the job. By the end of the movie, I sat bursting with pride and questions. Why wasn’t this story in my history books? How could these women exist and not make it into the history books? When we studied stories of the trip to space, NASA stories, and the John Glenn story, why did the story omit the women of color who helped him get there?

I felt cheated.

I left the movie theater and began to research the lives of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson. I wondered how many of our national treasures, our Hidden Figures, have gone unnoticed. What were their contributions to the advancement of the world and the advancement of people of African descent.

Who are the hidden figures in our communities? Who are the women working diligently to improve our communities each day without the accolades? I want to honor women who are the Hidden Figures of our community.

So, for the month of February, that is my task. I will honor 28 women who are considered a hidden figure by their peers and their community. I hope you will enjoy their stories.

Crystal