“I hope… to encourage historians to view different dimensions of women's work and thought in context. Only then will we understand the scope of women's contributions to history as distinct from their appreciation of the limitations of the society in which they operated. Each stage of the development of "herstoryography" merits our full attention, with careful thought to the way in which all dimensions exist and relate one to the other, and with caution for the possible ways we may inadvertently create our own barriers to that which we most wish to discover…" –Janis L. MacDonald
MoviesJamestown is a historical fiction series about tobacco brides who arrive in Jamestown shortly after it's settled. None of the events are true, but it's fun to imagine this unique world these women entered.
The Abolitionists from American Experience highlights the lives and work of six abolitionists, three men and three women, who dedicated their lives to end slavery.
IMDB Harriet is about the life accomplishments of Harriet Tubman.
IMDB Into Light is the story of Inez Milholland who gave her life for woman suffrage in America.
IMDB Iron Jawed Angels tells the story of American Women suffragists in the final push for the 19th Amendment.
IMDB The Vote by American Experience is a documentary series created to show the many sides of the woman suffrage movement on its 100th anniversary.
Prohibition is a documentary that highlights the rise and fall of the 18th Amendment. It centers on the women behind the temperance movement, like the WCTU, Anti-Saloon League, and prominent figures like Carrie Nation.
Self Made is a TV series about the life and career of Madam CJ Walker, the first female millionaire in US history.
IMDB The Roosevelts is a documentary that dives deep into the lives and work of Teddy, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
IMDB Jackie is a recent biopic about Jackie Kennedy's experience after the assassination of her husband as she shaped his legacy.
IMDB On the Basis of Sex is a film about the early career and landmark cases taken on by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, future second woman nominated to the Supreme Court.
IMDB RBG is a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A much watch in any history class about the last century.
IMDB Mrs. America is about the many women from diverse backgrounds on both sides of the Equal Rights Amendment movement.
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DocumentariesThe White Queen and the series that follow are based on a historical fiction novel about the rise of the Tudor family in England. The main characters are the women, who through marriage gain and lose the crown.
IMDB The Tudors tells the story of Henry VIII and each of his six wives. Remember the old school tale: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
IMDB Elizabeth tells the story of Elizabeth's Golden era.
IMDB Witches: A Century of Murder is about the witch trials that plagued England under Kings James IV and I and Charles I.
Catherine the Great is about the career of Catherine of Russia and her challenges as a female leader.
IMDB Victoria is a TV series about the rise and career of Queen Victoria, whose reign spanned much of the 19th century.
IMDB Suffragette tells the stories of English women who grappled with a way to have their voices heard in the early movement.
IMDB The Danish Girl is historical fiction based losely on the life and marriage of a transgender pioneer.
IMDB A Call to Spy is about the first British and American women spies that worked on the ground in France during WWII.
IMDB Frida is a film about the first Mexican woman to have her work displayed at the Louvre in Paris, FR.
IMDB The Crown is a TV series that shows the rise and career of the current Queen of England, Elizabeth II. Her reign began shortly after WWII.
IMDB Taking Root is a documentary about the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai. She was from Kenya and her work was on environmental protection.
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How to teach with films?Remember, you want the student to be the historian. What do historians do when they watch films?
Before they watch, ask students to research the director and producers. These are the source of the information. How will their background and experience likely bias this film? Also, ask students to consider the context the film was created in. The film may be about history, but it was made recently. What was going on the year the film was made that could bias the film? In particular, how do you think the gains of feminism will impact the portrayal of the female characters? As they watch, ask students to research the historical accuracy of the film. What do online sources say about what the film gets right or wrong? Afterward, ask students to describe how the female characters were portrayed and what lessons they got from the film. Then, ask students to evaluate this film as a learning tool. Was it helpful to better understand this topic? Did the historical inaccuracies make it unhelpful? Make it clear any informed opinion is valid. |
THE REMEDIAL HERSTORY PROJECT: Where we ask what happened to the women? And put them in.
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