My Historic Birthday
Debbie Teashon February 20, 1962
I finally watched the movie Hidden Figures, the story of three extraordinary women of color who battled relentless discrimination to help shape NASA’s legacy. I think of all the brainpower that is and was wasted because our society, guided by segregation-era policies and institutional biases, refused to recognize the countless talents or brilliant minds that did not fit the mold of the white male. The systemic nature of this oversight highlights the policy-driven barriers that have historically limited potential and innovation.
I remember Tuesday, February 20, 1962. I imagine this day may not mean much when you first read it. However, I have the memory of that day etched in my brain. The faint static of the black-and-white television filled the living room, interspersed with the crisp voice of the news anchor narrating the historic event. I must confess that a few years ago, I had to look up what year it happened. Although I could not remember my age, I remembered the event. Still, I had not yet reached the first decade of my life on the historic day when John Glenn orbited the Earth.
Measles kept me home from school that day, and the illness swept through my family, erasing any hope of a birthday party. While most childhood birthdays are forgotten or never happened, this one remains vivid, marked in my mind by history’s significance rather than icing or candles.
Bundled in blankets on the couch, feverish and small, I watched John Glenn’s journey unfold. The Friendship 7 mission lasted just under five hours, yet it captivated millions worldwide, with viewers from all over the globe glued to their screens. When his ship, the Friendship 7, splashed down, it bobbed about on the ocean like a floating cork, a tiny silhouette against a sparkling sea.
Sitting at home today, watching a film about a momentous day many decades ago, I realized I never knew about Katherine Goble’s genius. On my birthday, the television showed only men as heroes, hurtling through space, retrieving the Mercury spacecraft, and commanding the control room. Sadly, missing from the accomplishment, Goble finally received recognition for her vital role in the lead-up to the historic flight. Decades later, at age 96, she received the nation’s highest civilian honor—the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Before writing, I revisited the details of that day, double-checking my memories. Watching the old footage, I realized how deeply those moments had imprinted themselves on me. Even with its creative liberties, the film pays tribute to the remarkable women who shaped history.
We need more sweeping tales that celebrate women of every race and culture. As a child, I yearned for stories of legendary women. More importantly, the world must finally recognize and nurture the brilliance that exists far beyond the confines of the white male narrative.
So, I challenge you on this day February 20, 2026 and beyond: Whose unseen genius will you amplify this week? Let us all commit to sharing the stories of those whose contributions have too long remained unsung.
More reading:
60 Years Ago: John Glenn, the First American to Orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7: https://www.nasa.gov/history/60-years-ago-john-glenn-the-first-american-to-orbit-the-earth-aboard-friendship-7/
About Hidden Figures and where to watch it: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340
And the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5wfrDhgUMGI?si=d_6Ol6kBiLBYWA5-