NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Monae says film on black women at NASA is key part of history

NEW ORLEANS

Janelle Monae says she’s honored to be part of an upcoming film that tells the little-known story of three black women who were a crucial part of NASA’s history, including one who helped John Glenn become the first American to orbit earth.

The Grammy-nominated singer is making her big-screen debut in “Hidden Figures,” which tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – three women who worked at NASA in the 1960s.

“It is so important that we as women, African-American women, tell our stories,” Monae said. “These three women opened doors for us and literally helped change the world.”

“Hidden Figures” stars Taraji P. Henson as Johnson; Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer as Vaughan and Monae as Jackson. The women were mathematicians, and Johnson helped calculate the trajectory for Glenn’s orbit around Earth, among other accomplishments. The cast also includes Aldis Hodge, Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst.

Segments of the film were shown to fans Friday at the Essence Festival, the annual four-day music festival geared toward black women.

Monae and Hodge, who plays Noah on WGN America’s hit series “Underground,” spoke afterward.

Monae said she cried when she received the script.

“I cried because I had never heard of Katherine Johnson or Dorothy Vaughan or Mary Jackson. But I know these women and their struggles,” she said.

Associated Press