Women’s History Month, observed annually in March, originated from the recognition that women's achievements have often been overshadowed or marginalized by the dominant narratives of male accomplishments. After International Women’s Day alone was deemed not enough to celebrate the historical accomplishments of women, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to designate March of 1987 as Women’s History Month.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with a collection of films and shows on PBS NC and streaming on the free PBS app.
Introduced and narrated by Grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma, this film tells the story of Jacqueline du Pré and her enigmatic genius, one of the greatest cellists of all time.
Watch Jacqueline du Pré: Genius and Tragedy, Friday, 3/28, 9 PM on PBS and streaming now on the PBS app with PBS NC Passport.
Does "Bloody Mary," England's first ruling female monarch, truly deserve her infamous reputation? Investigate whether Mary I was as ruthless as history suggests or if her notoriety stemmed from being a strong woman in a predominantly male world.
Watch Lucy Worley Investigates: "Bloody Mary,” Sunday, 3/23, 8 PM on PBS NC and the PBS app.
The Seventies start as they mean to go on, with Nonnatus House plunged into disarray when activists staging a bid for independence blockade access to the Isle of Dogs. Amid the poverty and uncertainty of life in a declining Docklands, the midwives must also face cases of manic depression, gonorrhea, spina bifida, abortion – and an apparently immaculate conception.
Watch Call the Midwife Season 14, premiering Sunday, 3/30, 8 PM on PBS NC. Starting 2/28, watch early on the free PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.
Bigger and stronger enemies are waiting in the wings to destroy Marie Antionette. The higher she climbs in the estimation of the French people, the greater the threats are against her. At the height of their power, Marie Antoinette and Louis face an unprecedented financial crisis. The incessant attacks of Provence and Chartres against the royal couple stir up the hatred of the nobles while disastrous consequences loom with the Diamond Necklace Affair. From Versailles to the Palais-Royal, the revolt rumbles on.
WatchMarie Antoinette Season 2, premiering Sunday, 3/23, 10 PM on PBS NC. Starting 3/23, watch early on the free PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.
Learn about some of the women of North Carolina who have made a lasting impact in history, are breaking through male-dominated fields, and are trailblazers in our state and beyond.
Learn the history of the Penelope Barker House and see why it's Edenton's gateway to exploration.
Watch The Penelope Barker House, streaming now on the PBS app.
Christina Koch broke the record for the longest space flight by a woman during her time on the International Space Station. Sci NCproducer Frank Graff sits down with Koch as she's preparing to fly on the Artemis II mission, which will send humans into lunar orbit for the first time in 50 years.
Watch Our conversation with NASA's Christina Koch, streaming now on the PBS app.
Join us as we meet Hope Renovations, a transformative nonprofit in NC dedicated to reshaping the construction industry. Discover how they empower women and gender-expansive individuals with vital construction skills while enhancing homes for seniors and people with disabilities. Meet the incredible team behind this inspiring mission and see how they’re making a difference, one project at a time.
Watch Building Futures: Hope Renovations Empowers Women in Construction, streaming now on the PBS app.
Shaped by Sound spotlights North Carolina’s thriving music scene, featuring artists from a broad range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Each episode weaves a visually stunning live studio performance by an NC artist or band with an intimate conversation about their creative journey.
Watch Shaped by Sound, Thursdays, 9:30 PM on PBS NC and the PBS app.
Folk legend Alice Gerrard performs songs from communities that have inspired her.
Watch Alice Gerrard on Shaped by Sound, Thursday, 3/13, 9:30 PM on PBS NC & the PBS app.
Hip-hop artist Shirlette Ammons blends her eastern NC roots with her love for her local community.
Watch Shirlette Ammons on Shaped by Sound, Thursday, 4/3, 9:30 PM on PBS NC & the PBS app.
The incomparable jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon shares selections from her latest album.
Watch Nnenna Freelon on Shaped by Sound, streaming now on the PBS app.
This PBS NC original series showcases the state’s most engaging musical artists.
Watch new episodes of Shaped by Sound, Thursdays, 9:30 PM on PBS NC & streaming on the PBS app.
Women’s History Month offers us a time to reflect on the impact and achievements of women leaders. In Side by Side with Nido Qubein, our host introduces us to many influential women leading in business, education, government and more. Explore this collection of featured interviews and gain inspiration from their insights on how confidence shapes leadership, the dynamics of collaborating with other inspiring women, and the journey to becoming a successful leader in higher education.
Watch new episodes of Side by Side, Tuesdays, 7 PM on PBS NC and streaming now on the PBS app.
Sherika Montgomery describes her journey to becoming the commissioner of the Big South Conference.
In 1766, members of the Moravian Church traveled from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to a new settlement in Salem, NC. Women from this group established the Moravian School for Girls, now Salem Academy and College, the oldest continuously running educational institution for girls and women in the US. This film follows a re-creation of the journey to Salem to mark the school’s 250th anniversary.
Watch Journey to Salem, streaming now on the PBS app.
PBS KIDS For Parents
In honor of Women’s History Month, here are 15 books about impactful and inspirational historic and modern-day women. While some of these women are well-known, others are not — yet all of them have made an important mark on the world.
PBS KIDS YouTube
March is Women's History Month! Celebrate and learn about famous women in history with your favorite PBS KIDS shows including Xavier Riddle, Molly of Denali, and others!
PBS LearningMedia
Rebel Girls from History celebrates Women's History Month by focusing on the amazing, mostly forgotten women from the late 19th and early 20th century whose lives, actions, and sacrifices helped shape today’s America.
Fly with Me tells the story of the pioneering women who became flight attendants at a time when single women were unable to order a drink, eat alone in a restaurant, own a credit card or get a prescription for birth control. The job offered unheard-of opportunities for travel and independence. These women were on the frontlines of the battle to assert gender equality and transform the workplace.
Watch Fly with Me, streaming now on the PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.
Follow two performers as they break down barriers in music. Opera singer J’Nai Bridges takes the stage in “A Knee on the Neck,” a choral tribute to George Floyd. Country artist Rissi Palmer redefines success as she works on her latest album, while uplifting other artists of color in the Americana genres.
Watch In the Making, streaming now on the PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.
Maria Anna Mozart was a musical prodigy just like her younger brother Wolfgang. Although the children toured Europe together, once Maria Anna came of age, she was left behind while her brother became a star. But controversial new evidence suggests she may have contributed to her brother’s earliest works while a global search for her compositions continues.
Watch Mozart’s Sister, streaming now on the PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.
Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers and critics on an exploration of the powerful themes she confronted throughout her literary career in this artful and intimate meditation that examines the life and work of the legendary storyteller. A film by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Photos: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.
Watch Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, streaming now on the PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.
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