Questions About Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars

by Nathalia Holt (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (4)

Were they mathematicians or computers? Did they come up with the formulas or methods of approximation to the trajectories or did they plug in values and compute the results? Big difference. Given the sexism at the time, did JPL "turn to male graduates" for the supposed intellectual heavy lifting and used (and wasted the talents of) women graduates for the more mundane, less well-paid/recognized stuff?

Phil In fact the women at JPL formed a unique coalition that worked, learned and grew intellectually from one another in their respected fields, in spite o…moreIn fact the women at JPL formed a unique coalition that worked, learned and grew intellectually from one another in their respected fields, in spite of being underpaid compared to their male counterparts. They did more than their share of the intellectual “heavy lifting”.
At same time Macie, in today’s governmental related oversite, would have many “reverse discrimination” claims placed against her and the organization. She did not hire males, and in my opinion with good reasons. Macie had the vision and foresight to expose “her girls” as the brilliant minds and determined individuals they were, without the help or camaraderie of a male equals. It is a beautiful part of American history that highlights the ability of minds unshackled.
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Which do readers recommend this book or Hidden Figures?

Elisabeth I recommend both. Rise of the Rocket Girls is less coherently written and therefore a more difficult read, but both contain invaluable original resear…moreI recommend both. Rise of the Rocket Girls is less coherently written and therefore a more difficult read, but both contain invaluable original research about different people working in different parts of the Space Program.(less)

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appropriate for kids?

Dorothy The tech/science stuff is likely over-the-head of adolescents not interested in the subject matter.
There is a reference in the book to the birth contr…moreThe tech/science stuff is likely over-the-head of adolescents not interested in the subject matter.
There is a reference in the book to the birth control pill, and the emotional toll of marital breakdown(s) are not shied away from, nor the devastating impact on a woman whose newborn did not survive.
But even someone as grounded as I am in the social/cultural revolution of the 1960s, was unaware of the existence of the rocket girls and their enormous footprint on space exploration. They were in the right place at the right time, and against all odds, were the right fit for where they were and what they were doing.
The book too is an invaluable lesson on how these women succeeded despite the lack or absence of social support so readily available today to working mothers.
In today's working environment so ruled by political correctness, the book casts a light on a refreshing aspect of male/female co-workers united in their singular purpose of success for themselves, each other and their country.(less)

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Are there any mentions of the black women doing the same work?

Jennifer Yes, the author includes several african american and asian american women.

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