Who should we have for this month's Connection Combat?

Question

Hi Connectors!

Do you have suggestions for who we should include in this month's Connection Combat?

Remember, the winning profile, if connected in time, would be likely to be featured in our Connection Finder the first week in February, so maybe something related to that month? Black History? Valentine's Day? 

Thanks!

Comments

Last month was MLK vs. Rosa Parks, so maybe we don't need a Black History Month feature.

Answer 1

There's a movie out called Hidden Figures which features (in part) the story of Katherine Johnson (nee Coleman) who was the mathematician behind NASA's programs. She might be a good place to start.

Comments

I love that idea, Scott! 

We could have the actress who portrays her as the other connection -- Taraji P. Henson.

Or John Glenn, but I have a feeling we've already done him.

Or the author of the book the movie is based on -- Margot Lee Shetterly.

From a Valentine's Day theme, there's Chaucer who has a connection w/ Valentine's Day through his poem Parlement of Foules. (and lest ye think I have any special knowledge in this area: I don't. I discovered this by perusing Wikipedia.)

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I like the idea of Katherine Johnson. I've not seen the movie yet, but her story is one that quickly catches people's attention and interest. She could be "opposed" by another woman (not a U.S.-born white nor a member of European nobility -- they're too easy) who achieved great things in mathematics in spite of the odds against her. A few candidates (I think Noether is the best candidate):

• Emmy Noether - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Noether-1 - German
• Maria Gaetana Agnesi - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Agnesi-2 - Italian
• Charlotte Scott - Not in WikiTree yet - http://womenshistory.about.com/od/sciencemath1/a/charlotte_scott.htm - English

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I really love the idea of Katherine Johnson vs Emmy Noether.

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There is also Maryam Mirzakhani, the first (and, to date, only) woman to receive the Fields medal. Though perhaps she would be too difficult?

 

Answer 2

A couple more ideas ...

One of the month-long observances for February is American Heart Month.

So, how about Robert Jarvik, one of the inventors of the artificial heart.

The other connection could be Christiaan Barnard who performed the first heart transplant.

Answer 3

What about Clare Hollingworth the Second World War Journalist who broke the news Poland had been invaded, she died this week at 105

Or it's LGBT month could choose someone historical or contemporary, or it's the non violence season, a combination with Valentine's Day would be a nice theme about the importance of acceptance love and peace

Doppelgänger week also falls in February, could have two people who look alike lots of examples for celebs and historical people, or matchs to people already on the connection thing, it would be cool to see if they were actually related. E.g Keanu reeves is known for this and other examples include https://www.littlethings.com/celebrity-doppelgangers/amp/?client=safari

Comments

If it is LGBT month, here are two would need connecting:

Natalie Clifford Barney and Alice B Toklas.

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Since you mention Alice B. Toklas, I see that Gertrude Stein is also unconnected.