30 Incredible 'Hidden Figures' Quotes From The Film And Book
Gallery
'Hidden Figures' book is based on three African-American women, written by Margot Lee Shetterly.
'Hidden Figures' film is based on the same concept as the book, directed by Theodore Melfi. The story is based on the real lives of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
You'll find quotes from the 'Hidden Figures' book that represent what Katherine did, among the other amazing women, plus quotes in 'Hidden Figures' when the spaceship is in orbit. The movie features Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae.
The characters in the story were working at NASA, but they experienced discrimination there because they were black women. Among these quotes, you'll find 'Hidden Figures' quotes about education, 'Hidden Figures' quotes about inequality and more.
If similar articles interest you, why not look at our other articles on working mom quotes and African American quotes?
Hidden Figures Quotes From The Movie
The movie is based on the characters from the book 'Hidden Figures.' Some 'Hidden Figures' quotes about determination are listed below.
1."There are twenty bright, highly capable...women in the West Computing Group, and we're proud to be doing our part for the country."
-Katherine Johnson.
2."There is no bathroom. There are no colored bathrooms in this building or any building outside the West Campus, which is half a mile away. Did you know that? I have to walk to Timbuktu just to relieve myself, and I can't use one of the handy bikes."
-Katherine Johnson.
3."West Virginia Collegiate Institute is the best school for...[black people] in the state."
-Marion Smithson.
4."There are quite a few women working in the space program."
-Dorothy Vaughan.
Hidden Figures Quotes About Racism
Many 'Hidden Figures' quotes from the book on racism reveal how prevalent discrimination was back then. We have listed some of them below.
5."Katherine G. Johnson: How can you be possibly ogling these white men?
Mary Jackson: It's equal rights. I have the right to see fine in every color."
-'Hidden Figures.'
6."I plan on being an engineer at NASA, but I can't do that without taking them classes at that all-white high school, and I can't change the color of my skin. So I have no choice, but to be the first, which I can't do without you, sir."
-Mary Jackson.
7."Mr. Zielinski...I'm not gonna entertain the impossible."
-Mary Jackson.
8."Oh, I'll tell you where to begin: Three [black] women chasing a white police officer down a highway in Hampton, Virginia in 1961. Ladies, that there is a God-ordained miracle!"
-Mary Jackson.
'Hidden Figures' Quotes About Inequality
The women of 'Hidden Figures' were often exposed to inequality, and some of the quotes on inequality and 'Hidden Figures' quotes about sexism listed below show this.
9."Civil rights ain't always civil."
-Levi Jackson.
10."There's no protocol for men circling the earth either, sir."
-Katherine Johnson.
11."We go from being our father's daughters to our husband's wives to our babies' mothers.."
-Mary Jackson.
12."Separate and equal are two different things. Just 'cause it's the way, doesn't make it right, understand?"
-Dorothy Vaughan.
13."Even a woman who had worked closely with an engineer on the content of a research report was rarely rewarded by seeing her name alongside his on the final publication."
-Margot Lee Shetterly.
14."Why would the computers have the same desire for recognition that they did? Many engineers figured. They were women, after all."
-Margot Lee Shetterly.
15."Colonel Jim Johnson: I'm sorry, Katherine.
Katherine G. Johnson: For what, Jim?
Colonel Jim Johnson: Underestimating you, and any other woman like you, though I don't imagine there's many.
Katherine G. Johnson: That's good practice, right there."
-'Hidden Figures.'
'Hidden Figures' Quotes About Empowerment
Some of these quotes portray the empowerment in 'Hidden Figures'. The list also includes 'Hidden Figures' quotes that shows growth. The quotes below show what Katherine, and the others, did to fight racism and gender inequality.
16."Mary, a person with an engineer's mind should be an engineer. You can't be a computer the rest of your life."
-Karl Zielinski.
17."And yes, they let women do things at NASA and not because we wear skirts, but because we wear glasses!"
-Katherine to Col. Jim Johnson.
18."If you act right, you are right. That's for certain."
-Dorothy Vaughan.
19."Yet those charged with mounting the American offense in space saw strength in countering the Russian values of secrecy with its opposites - transparency, democracy, equality- and not a simulacrum."
-Margot Lee Shetterly.
20."John Glenn: Let's get the girl to check the numbers.
Al Harrison: The girl?
John Glenn: Yes, Sir.
Al Harrison: You mean Katherine?
John Glenn: Yes, Sir, the smart one. And if she says they're good, I'm ready to go."
-'Hidden Figures.'
21."We do a great deal of the calculating getting our rockets into space."
-Dorothy Vaughan.
22."Katherine Johnson knew once you took the first step, anything was possible."
-Margot Lee Shetterly.
23."We all get to the peak together or we don't get there at all."
-Al Harrison.
24."I will have you know I was the first [black] female student at West Virginia University Graduate School."
-Katherine Johnson.
25."Karl Zielinski: And I'm a Polish Jew whose parents died in a Nazi prison camp. Now I'm standing beneath a spaceship that's going to carry an astronaut to the stars. I think we can say we are living the impossible. Let me ask you, if you were a white male, would you wish to be an engineer?
Mary Jackson: I wouldn't have to, I'd already be one."
-'Hidden Figures.'
26."There's only one thing to do: Learn all we can."
-Dorothy Vaughan.
27."Every time we have a chance to get ahead, they move the finish line."
-Mary Jackson.
28."You, sir, you are the boss. You just have to act like one... sir."
-Katherine Johnson.
29."Vivian Mitchell: Despite what you may think, I have nothing against y'all.
Dorothy Vaughan: I know. I know you probably believe that."
-'Hidden Figures.'
30."Women, on the other hand, had to wield their intellects like a scythe, hacking away against the stubborn underbrush of low expectations."
-Margot Lee Shetterly.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 30 incredible 'Hidden Figures' quotes from the film and book, then why not take a look at women's history month quotes, or Wonder Woman quotes.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Master of Business Administration
Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration
With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
