Renowned actresses Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen recently joined NASA in Houston, Texas, in honoring their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen’s history as a “hidden figure” of the Apollo 11 mission.
Phylicia Rashad, who played Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, was the dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts. Her sister, Debbie Allen, is a famous choreographer, performer, and director, best known for Fame. Both sisters are widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the entertainment industry.
However, it’s clear that their pioneering spirit runs in the family. Their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, is a true Renaissance woman. Allen has made an everlasting impression on her daughters and the world of space exploration. A Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet, cultural activist, and classicist, Allen’s contributions to NASA’s Apollo 11 mission are now acknowledged.
NASA’s Recognition Of Hidden Figures
Last week, NASA honored the women of the Apollo missions. The agency renamed its Johnson Space Center building the “Dorothy Vaughan Center in Honor of Women of Apollo.” This celebration recognizes the significant contributions of women to the space industry, particularly those who persevered against the challenges of their era.
Vivian Ayers Allen was among those celebrated as a “hidden figure of the Apollo 11 mission.” Her famed long-form poem “Hawk,” which drew parallels between space flight and the earthly quest for freedom, earned her recognition from NASA. The space agency also exhibited reproductions of her work at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Debbie Allen shared the emotional moment on Instagram, writing, “This weekend, we had the incredible honor of celebrating our mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, at NASA for being one of the Hidden Figures of the Apollo 11 Space Mission! Our hearts are overflowing with pride and gratitude.”
The sisters visited NASA to witness their mother’s celebration and expressed their deep appreciation for the recognition of her contributions.
Vivian Ayers Allen — A Remarkable Mother
Both Allen and Rashad credit their mother, who turned 100 in July 2023, with instilling in them a love and appreciation for the arts. Rashad fondly recalled her mother’s dedication, saying, “As a child, it was amazing to have my mother — and somewhat disconcerting at times, because she wasn’t like other mothers. Other mothers didn’t get up at three o’clock in the morning to write. My mother did, every day.”
Vivian Ayers Allen’s influence extended beyond her writing routine. Rashad explained, “It was my mother who gave us a real appreciation for art and literature as living things, not just as something hung on the wall or placed on the shelf — an appreciation for ideas and the power of thought and human intention.”
