Episode 04: Hidden Heroes -- The Human Computers of NASA

Duchess Harris and her son Zach present the story of the black women "hidden human computers" of NASA. Duchess' own grandmother -- Zach's great grandmother -- Miriam Daniel Mann was one of these amazing women who made significant contributions to NASA from the 1940s to the 1960s. They connect their personal family story to the history of the "space race" and discuss the obstacles blacks -- especially women -- faced in achieving a math and science education.

More info:

• For more information about the Freedom's Promise books and the Duchess Harris Collection, visit http://www.abdobooks.com/duchess-harris-collection
• For more information about Duchess Harris, visit http://www.duchessharris.com/
• "Whitey on the Moon" originally appeared on Gill Scott Heron's album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, 1970, (c) The Flying Dutchman Productions, Ltd.
• Full video of Nichelle Nichols' promotional film for NASA available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lca9_EDMcX0
• To request a text-document transcription of this episode, email [email protected]

Freedom's Promise, podcast and radio series credits

• Duchess Harris: Writer and host
• Zach Thomas: Co-host
• Barry Madore, Fire on the Bluff Productions: Producer, recording engineer, editor
• Opening and closing music: “Black cat Funky” by reusenoise — http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/reusenoise/56513 — (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license
• Freedom's Promise Show page: http://freedomspromise.libsyn.com