Schools

STA Recognizes Women's History Month with Documentary Screening

"Top Secret Rosies" explores the role of women mathematicians during WWII.

The film tells the story of the female mathematicians who worked stateside for the U.S. military as human computers. These women helped win the war and build the foundation for the modern computer age.

First Sergeant Fernando Hernandez, diversity coordinator for St. Thomas Academy, stressed the importance of acknowledging the contributions of women, who make up 33 percent of faculty at the Academy.

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“Women play a role in shaping them as young men,” said Hernandez. “It’s not a male-dominated culture at St. Thomas.”

LeAnn Erickson, the film’s producer and director, and a film and media arts professor at Temple University, will be in attendance on Friday.

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Erickson said her engagement at STA exemplifies how Women’s History Month, and similar designated times of remembrance, can create learning opportunities in mainstream America for marginalized histories.

Erickson said she was inspired to make “Top Secret Rosies” when she was working on another project and met two women who had been recruited as army mathematicians right out of high school.

As she began her research, Erickson discovered there was hardly any information available on the topic, despite its historical significance.

Erickson said she hopes that “Top Secret Rosies” will inspire girls to pursue math and science, while also giving boys a greater understanding of the contributions women have made to military and world history.

St. Thomas Academy will host two screenings of the documentary. The first will be a private screening for academy students. The second is open to the public, and will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday. Admission is free. Erickson will be available to answer questions after the screening.


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