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Hidden Figures - Margot Lee Shetterly

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else might be possible?<br />

Achievement through hard work,<br />

social progress through science,<br />

possibility through belief . . . when Levi<br />

reached out and took hold of the firstplace<br />

trophy, Mary witnessed, in one<br />

proud and emotional moment, the<br />

embodiment of so much that she held<br />

dear. Of course, Mary also knew that her<br />

son was a ringer; the two of them had<br />

been building to win. Brain busters’ kids<br />

were supposed to come out on top in a<br />

race like this, even if the brain buster<br />

was a woman, or black, or both. Being<br />

part of a Black First was a powerful<br />

symbol, she knew just as well as anyone,<br />

and she embraced her son’s achievement<br />

with delight. But she also knew that the<br />

best thing about breaking a barrier was<br />

that it would never have to be broken

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