Top 10 Programs of Remarkable Women Throughout History Now Streaming on IdahoPTV Passport

Robin Barclay

• Published on January 19, 2023 • Last modified on March 18, 2024 • Comments

Celebrate the often untold stories of remarkable women who have left an indelible mark on history. In this exploration of programs dedicated to showcasing the strength, intelligence, and resilience of extraordinary women, we'll shed light on the narratives that have both inspired and empowered generations.

1. The Sun Queen

Scientist Mária Telkes devoted her career to unlocking the potential of solar energy. Despite facing opposition and obstacles from her male counterparts, she tenaciously pursued her goals, ultimately pioneering the design of the first functional solar-heated house in 1948 and acquiring over 20 patents throughout her illustrious career.

2. Marian Anderson: Once in a Hundred Years

Discover an international singer who captivated royalty in Europe and defied the conscience of 1939 America. Watch rare archival footage and hear audio recordings exploring her life and career from the Metropolitan Opera to the State Department.

3. Dolores

Dolores Huerta's story is a vital yet frequently overlooked piece of American history. Alongside Cesar Chavez, she co-founded the first farmworkers union and fought tirelessly for racial and labor justice. Her bold activism also positioned her as one of the most fearless feminists of the 20th century.

4. The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony - Not For Ourselves Alone

Two women. One allegiance. Together they fought for women everywhere, and their strong willpower and sheer determination still ripples through contemporary society. Recount the trials, tribulations and triumphs of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony as they strive to give birth to the women’s movement. Not until their deaths was their shared vision of women’s suffrage realized.

5. Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom

Go beyond the legend and meet the inspiring woman who repeatedly risked her own life and freedom to liberate others from slavery. Born 200 years ago in Maryland, Harriet Tubman was a conductor of the Underground Railroad, a Civil War scout, nurse and spy, and one of the greatest freedom fighters in our nation’s history.

6. Letters From Baghdad

"Letters from Baghdad" is the story of a true original, Gertrude Bell, sometimes called the female “Lawrence of Arabia.” More influential and famous in her day than her colleague Lawrence, Bell was an explorer, spy, archaeologist and diplomat who helped shape the Middle East after World War I and established the Iraq Museum, infamously ransacked in 2003.

7. Her War, Her Story: World War II

Explore the stories of women caught up in World War II, from the American Home Front to Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland. Included in this hour-long film are also the personal stories of the incredible women who served in a war that proved women were equal to men when it came to patriotism, service, or in some cases, self-preservation during watershed moments which called for steadfastness.

8. American Masters: Roberta Flack

Embark on a journey tracing the trajectory of music legend Roberta Flack, from her humble beginnings in a piano lounge to her meteoric rise to fame. From the soulful strains of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" to the haunting melody of "Killing Me Softly," Flack's musical prowess was intertwined with her unwavering dedication to civil rights.

9. American Experience - Sandra Day O'Connor: The First

Discover the story of the Supreme Court’s first female justice. A pioneer who both reflected and shaped an era, Sandra Day O'Connor was the deciding vote in cases on some of the 20th century’s most controversial issues—including race, gender and reproductive rights.

10. Idaho Experience - We Sagebrush Folks: Annie Pike Greenwood's Idaho

Annie Pike Greenwood was a writer, teacher, mother and farmer's wife who lived in south-central Idaho between 1913 and 1928, when the area had just opened to farming. She would turn her notes about her hardscrabble experience into a book, "We Sagebrush Folks." Using newfound material, this documentary helps illuminate Greenwood’s life and work, as well as how her legacy lives on.

IdahoPTV Passport is a member benefit that provides IdahoPTV donors extended on-demand access to a rich library of quality public television programs on your television with a number of streaming video devices as well as on your computer, tablet, and smartphone.

To learn more or sign up for Passport, visit idahoptv.org/passport.