adempercem/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — It’s one very tiny step for women-kind: In the shadow of the hit “Hidden Figures,” which highlighted a group of African-American women and their contribution to the U.S. space
program, LEGO has announced it will sell a “Women of NASA” set of its Minifigures.
The idea was the brainchild of Maia Weinstock, a science writer and editor, who submitted to LEGO that the company should highlight the efforts of a number of prominent women.
The announced set includes mathematician and NASA trajectory expert Katherine Johnson, whom Taraji P. Henson played in “Hidden Figures.
” Also featured are Margaret Hamilton, an MIT computer
scientist who developed the flight software for the Apollo craft; Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; astronaut and physicist Nancy Grace Roman; and Mae Jemison, an entrepreneur,
astronaut and doctor who was the first African-American woman in space.
“We’re really excited to be able to introduce Maia’s ‘Women of NASA’ set for its inspirational value as well as build and play experience,” a rep for the company said, adding that the company hopes
the toys will inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM — that is, science, technology, engineering and math.
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