About Mack Minded

Before the acronym STEM even existed, Dr. Pauline Beery Mack, Texas Woman’s University professor in the 1950s-1970s, pioneered in the quest for knowledge in science, technology and statistical research. Her advances in bone density provided NASA invaluable information for manned spaceflight, earning Mack a Silver Snoopy award presented by Astronaut Jim Lovell in 1970, a time when women scientists were rarely recognized among their male peers.

Mack Minded is a short documentary produced by Texas Woman’s University and Curious Dog Creative. The film’s development was sponsored through the generous contributions of TWU alumnae and professor emeritae Betty Alford, Ph.D., and Bettye Myers, Ph.D., for whom the movie is dedicated posthumously.

 

Mack Minded Humanly Possible promo poster

Watch the Movies

Two versions of the documentary are now available for viewing on TWU's YouTube channel:

  •  Mack Minded, a 20-minute full-length cut
  •  Mack Minded: Humanly Possible, a shortened 10-minute cut

Click the buttons below to view.

Mack Minded Mack Minded: Humanly Possible

Film Festival Screenings

An X-Ray taken by Dr. Mack of Armstrong's ankle.
Dr. Mack worked with several Gemini and Apollo astronauts, including Neil Armstrong.

The full 20-minute cut of Mack Minded was accepted into the following festivals:

  • Thin Line Fest (Denton) – Best Denton Documentary Film Award, April 2019
  • Sigma Xi STEM Art and Film Festival (Wisconsin) – Best Film Award, November 2019
  • Palm Beach International Mini Movie, Film and Art Festival (Florida), December 2019

The 10-minute cut of Mack Minded: Humanly Possible was accepted into the following festivals:

  • San Antonio Film Festival, August 2019
  • Women in Film Dallas’ Topaz Film Festival, September 2019
  • Central Florida Film Festival, September 2019
  • Lost River Film Festival (San Marcus, TX), October 2019
  • Rockport Film Festival (Rockport, TX), November 2019
  • Lone Star Film Festival (Fort Worth, TX), November 2019
  • KERA Frame of Mind (Dallas, KERA TV), November 2019
  • CineSpace/ Houston Cinema Arts Festival – Third Place, November 2019

Accolades

A film festival laurel for the Palm Beach International Mini Movie and Film Film Festival.
A film festival laurel for the Sigma Xi Art and Film Festival.
Official Selection 2019 Cinespace Film Festival
Official Selection 2019 Frame of Mind Film Festival
Official Selection 2019 Lone Star Film Festival
A film festival laurel for the Rockport Film Festival.
Official Selection 2019 Lost River Film Fest
Official Selection 2019 Central Florida Film Festival
A film festival laurel for the Topaz Film Festival.
A film festival laurel for the San Antonio Film Festival.
A film festival laurel for the Thin Line Film Festival.

Watch the Trailer