“Hidden Figures” author, NASA engineer announced as grand marshals for Dominion Christmas Parade

The 2017 Dominion Energy Christmas Parade will welcome two phenomenal women from Virginia as this year’s grand marshals, it was announced yesterday. Margot Lee Shetterly, author of “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race,” and Dr. Christine Darden, the retired NASA mathematician and aeronautical engineer featured in the book.

The 34th Annual Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, December 2nd, beginning at 10:00 AM in front of the Science Museum of Virginia.

This year’s parade theme is “Christmas Around the World” in honor of NASA Langley Research Center’s 100th anniversary and the aerospace advancements and technological breakthroughs featured in “Hidden Figures.”

“Hidden Figures” is a number 1 New York Times bestseller and award-winning movie about three African-American female NASA mathematicians essential to the success of early spaceflight.

“We are proud to have these two remarkable and accomplished women serving as grand marshals at the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade,” said Parade Director Beth Karrer. “We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the achievements they’ve made here and around the world — literally!”

Nearly 100 units are slated for this year’s parade, including dozens of festive holiday floats; 10 giant helium balloons; college marching bands from Virginia Military Institute, Virginia State University, and Hampton University; the trademark Wells Fargo stagecoach; the Harlem Globetrotters; and Richmond’s own Legendary Santa.

The two honorees will ride aboard a Grand Marshal Float sponsored by Northwestern Mutual. “We are honored to give special recognition to Margot Lee Shetterly and Dr. Christine Darden — and all women working in STEM fields,” said Northwestern Mutual Chief Marketing Officer Paige Bishop.

The Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is open to the public and free for all spectators. For event registration and further information, visit the official event website.