Documentaries

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

Into Light is the story of Inez Milholland who gave her life for woman suffrage in America.
​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. 

The Roosevelts is a documentary that dives deep into the lives and work of Teddy, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
IMDB

The Rape of Recy Taylor is a documentary film about the life and rape of Recy Taylor-- arguably the spark for the Montgomery Civil Rights movement. 
IMDB

Maya Angelou from American Masters celebrates her life and work.
IMDB

RBG is a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A much watch in any history class about the last century.
IMDB

FEATURE LENGTH Movies

Harriet is about the life accomplishments of Harriet Tubman.
IMDB

The Conspirator is about Mary Surratt, the first woman executed by the federal government in US history. Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln... it doesn't quite pass the Bechdel Test.
IMDB

Little Women is one of several film adaptations of Louisa May Alcotts book about a family of women in New England who's father is off fighting. 
IMDB

Iron Jawed Angels tells the story of American Women suffragists in the final push for the 19th Amendment.
IMDB

The Help is historical fiction portraying life for Black housekeepers in the American south.
IMDB.

Jackie is a biopic about Jackie Kennedy's experience after the assassination of her husband as she shaped his legacy. 
IMDB

Hidden Figures is about the women of color who worked as computers behind the Space Race.
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

Confirmation is about Anita Hill and the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas.
IMDB

Television Series

Jamestown 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.

Self Made is a TV series about the life and career of Madam CJ Walker, the first female millionaire in US history.
IMDB

Mrs. America is about the many women from diverse backgrounds on both sides of the Equal Rights Amendment movement.
IMDB

How to teach with films

Remember, teachers want the student to be the historian. What do historians do when they watch films?

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. Afterward, ask students to describe how the female characters were portrayed and what lessons they got from the film.
5. 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.