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Nissan Partners with Community for “Hidden Figures” Screening in Mississippi

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nissan badgeHidden Figures might be a movie about the black women that helped NASA reach the moon, but the effects of the film ripple out far beyond the space agency. By seeing the three women of color succeed in a field dominated by white men, even in the face of the discrimination of the 1960s, girls of all colors and backgrounds see that it is possible for women to succeed in science and math fields, or STEM fields. Nissan recognized the importance of the film and partnered with several Mississippi agencies to provide a free screening of the movie to about 200 girls in Greater Jackson.

Nissan collaborated with the Central Mississippi Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi to organize the screening earlier this month. To make sure that the girls fully understood what the movie was telling them, and to answer any questions they might have, there was also a panel discussion after the film ended. Panelists were from Jackson State University, Nucor Steel, and the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant, and answered questions about careers in technology, science, math, and art.

“STEAM fields offer stable, high-paying and intellectually stimulating jobs, and we need to encourage more girls of color to pursue careers in related industries,” said Pam Confer, the director of community and public relations for the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant. “Nissan is grateful for the opportunity to share the powerful story of “Hidden Figures” with young girls from our community.”

We hope that the movie will continue to serve as inspiration for young girls well after this year.