Margot Lee Shetterly
Biography
Margot Lee Shetterly (born 1969) is an American non-fiction writer and businesswoman, best known for her groundbreaking 2016 book, "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win World War II." The book, which chronicled the lives of African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race, was later adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film. Shetterly grew up in Hampton, Virginia, where many of the events of her book transpired, and her father worked as a research scientist at NASA Langley. Her upbringing, surrounded by a community of talented African American professionals, deeply influenced her desire to bring their overlooked contributions to light. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Shetterly illuminates crucial chapters of American history, emphasizing themes of racial and gender equality in STEM.
Selected Thoughts
«What we know as the American story, what we hold up as achievement, is really a function of a particular selection of stories that we've deemed important.»
«The story of these women was literally, and figuratively, hidden in plain sight.»
«Every story that you tell that's an American story, every story that you tell that's a human story, is a story about these women.»
Writing Style
Shetterly's writing style is characterized by its accessible yet thoroughly researched historical narrative. She skillfully blends biographical details with broader historical context, making complex social and scientific issues digestible for a wide audience. Her prose is clear, engaging, and deeply empathetic, focusing on revealing the human experiences often obscured by dominant historical accounts. She employs a journalistic approach, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail and factual accuracy while crafting a compelling and inspiring story.