Hidden Figure Gender Roles

A major influence in how people see themselves is through the movies. Popular films have always affected society in how we look at and treat ourselves and others. In movies, each type of person has a traditional type of role. Men are typically the heroes and women are damsels in distress. Lately, films have started to take a turn and have begun to feature films with strong leading females who represent the heroes of their own stories. One of these films is “Hidden Figures”. Adapted from 2016 New York Times Bestselling novel, this film shares the true story of three African American women who work for NASA and were responsible for sending John Glenn into orbit. By exposing the true heroic stories of these women, “Hidden Figures” has attempted to break down traditions and empower women everywhere to follow their hearts. “Hidden Figures” follows Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine

Their “untold” story became a beacon of hope that change is possible if we have enough nerve to try. Because Vaughan, Johnson, and Jackson stepped out of their traditional roles, they become their own heroes. Even though the hidden figure’s bosses and coworkers started out as antagonists, but they realized their wrong doing and changed for the better. This character shift in the antagonists’ break standard Hollywood traditions and add a dose of reality. By replacing these “old stereotypes with a much more interesting set of realities”, audiences will relate more and will walk away with a stronger sense of hope and inspiration (Cofer 184). This story, know known to all, shifts the standards of gender roles in modern movies. “Hidden Figures” empowers audiences, specifically young women, everywhere. Their message of overcoming the impossible inspires society to break traditions. Audiences are left with a message in their hearts that “once you [take] the first step, anything [is] possible” (Hidden Figures