Dr. Oneeka Williams discusses her “Hidden Figures” experience and Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo’s role in helping girls believe that “Not Even the Sky is the Limit”

Similar to the women in the movie “Hidden Figures” (the story of three African-American female mathematicians at NASA in the 1960’s), Dr. Williams had to break down barriers and confront stereo-types on her journey to becoming a Urologic Surgeon.

Dr. Williams knew that she wanted to become a medical doctor at an early age.  However, as she began to chart her course she was made to understand that physics was only taught at the all-boys campus of Christ Church Foundation School in Barbados.  Deeming this to be unacceptable, Oneeka and her parents petitioned the archaic gender biased system and were successful in having her transferred to the all-boys school.

“Being the only girl among 30 boys was an eye opening experience for me and the boys.  I learned that in order to command their respect I had to compete with them on their level and they quickly realized that the stereotype of women being the weaker sex was just dead wrong!” says Dr. Williams.

It is this experience among others that led to the creation of Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo.  And while, she represents a strong, female super hero the message of not allowing anything or anyone to keep children from realizing their dreams is universal.