Since last month was Black History Month and this Month is Women's History Month, I decided to post movies that you can watch for this month. All of these movies are about women who made history.
From activists to singers, I have shared women who preserved despite the struggles and biases they faced. Each woman not only used their voice to advocate for themselves but also to help others.
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters First 100 Years
Is based on the book and play about the Delany sisters, Dr. Bessie Delany and Sadie Delany. It is based on two sisters who were prominent figures in their community. The prominence causes a writer to publish their story. The two women agree to tell their story. It starts with their beginnings in North Carolina. They mention their childhood, their family, and the racist things they saw as children. They continue their story and discuss their careers and their love life.
The Delany sister is played by the late Dianne Carroll and Ruby Dee Davis.
Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
A biopic about the Clark Sisters. The movie starts with them as children and shows the hard work they put into their singing. You get to see the family dynamics including their relationship with their mother and father. The movie shows them getting their record deal and hit songs. It shows their personal struggles and issues.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I am
Image from Amazon
Before her death Toni Morrison discusses her childhood, being in college, and her career.
Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022)
Image from Rotten Tomatoes
The biography of "The Queen of Gospel", Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson is played by Ledisi who a wonderful soul singer is. The movie shows how Mahalia Jackson got her start in music. It shows her struggles and successes in the music industry. It goes into her personal life and her friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King.
A Ballerina's Tale
Misty Copeland tells her story of how she became the first principal ballerina. The documentary starts with her life as a child.
Where to watch it: Prime Video, IFC Films Unlimited, AMC+
Maya Angelou and Still I Rise
Maya Angelou was a poet, director, actor, singer, dancer, and activist. This documentary discusses her early life and moments throughout her career. One of the stories that stuck out to me was about her son, Guy discusses her disappointment in one of her idols. It gave a said to Dr. Angelou that I have seen before.
Where to watch it: Prime Video, PBS Documentaries
Angela Davis Free Angela Davis Documentary
Angela Davis explores the life and times of the assistant philosophy professor. How she was fired for being a communist and ended up being the Most Wanted Woman in America. Davis tells people to do and stand up for what they believe in.
Where to watch it: Prime Video, Tubi TV
Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed
Image from Rotten Tomatoes
This documentary is about the last congresswoman's 1972 presidential run.
Where to watch it: Prime Video, Tubi TV
What Happened, Miss Nina Simone
A documentary on the life of singer and activist Nina Simone. Details how she felt about the racism she experienced and witnessed. Tells how she used her music and voice to express how she felt. Her music and message caused people in the United States to be angry. Their prejudice and hate caused her to leave the United States.
Where to Watch It: Netflix
Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth (2013)
Alice Walker was the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for writing her novel The Color Purple. This documentary looks at her life and what inspired her works.
Where to Watch It: PBS
Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands (2022)
she was the first black woman to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. She was an activist who fought for Civil Rights. She was a delegate to the UN. To learn more about her accomplishment watch the documentary on PBS.
Where to watch: PBS and Youtube
See also Voice of Freedom to learn more about Anderson.
Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space
Filmmaker Tracy Heather Strain tells of Zora Neale Hurston and her pursuit of capturing the life of Black people in the rural South. She was an anthropologist and writer. Hurston took a film of rural Black culture. She shot and directed the whole thing. You can see some of the shots from the documentary.
Where to watch: PBS and Youtube
See also: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun (2008)
Image from Shop PBS
This documentary tells the story of six women: Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Diahann Carroll, Nina Simone, Cicely Tyson, and Pam Grier. It examines how these six women changed culture, films, fashion, music, and politics.
Where to watch: PBS
MAVIS! (2015)
Mavis Staples was the lead female singer in the group The Staple Singers. The film looks at what inspired her singing. It also examines how she and her family's music inspired others.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up
Image from PBS
A short film about civil rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer. Focuses on her fight for civil rights.
Where to watch: PBS and Youtube
Conclusion:
Each of these movies is wonderful and will give you some insight into the lives of these historical figures. I hope watching these movies will inspire you and encourage you to make your own history.
