Women's History Month is celebrated each March in the United States as a way to "amplify women's voices to honor the past, inform the present and inspire the future."
The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination from our lives and institutions.
Credit: All images public domain via Wikimedia Commons
These three winning films from our 20th Film Festival will take no more than 30 minutes to watch
She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead (excerpt)
By: Samara Hutman, C. Lily Ericsson
The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead is an animated film that chronicles the extraordinary story of social justice warrior Songhai Armstead. (6 mins)
Her Voice
By: Carletta S. Hurt, Sunnye C. Durham
PASSWORD: Education1961 High-school student Gwendolyn researches civil rights activist and renowned journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault. (9 mins)
A Prayer for My Mother: The Eva Brettler Story
By: Cheri Gaulke and Samara Hutman
An animated film that chronicles the extraordinary saga of Holocaust survivor Eva Brettler – a child facing brutality and profound loss who finds sustenance in faith and her own dreams for the future. (10 mins)
Want more information? Read these short stories about the heroes depicted in the films:
Judge Songhai Armstead
By: Abigail Richardson
Judge Songhai Armstead was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California.
Charlayne Hunter-Gault: Activist and Journalist
By: Abigail Richardson
Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a pioneering journalist and civil rights activist whose life and career have been marked by breaking barriers and championing equality.
'A Prayer for My Mother: The Eva Brettler Story' by The Righteous Conversations Project
By: Naomi Gledhill
Learn about the extraordinary life of Holocaust survivor Eva Brettler.
Watch this two minute film made by an elementary school student and read all about the unsung hero Joy Buolamwini
Joy Buolamwini
By: Abbigail Mira - Ascot Avenue Elementary School
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Abbigail Mira.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini: Digital Activist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Dr. Joy Buolamwini, the computer scientist fighting against algorithmic bias.
Films
The following program of short films celebrate women trailblazers and show the kinds of obstacles these women faced, as well as common threads between their stories. We celebrate the empowerment of women across many cultures!
Daga - A Woman’s Fight to Empower Girls in her Village
By: Fama Ndiaye
In southern Senegal, Daga Baldé, a local leader in her community, is a passionate advocate for girls’ and women’s education.
Keiko Fukazawa
By: Anabelle Vo & Margot Bennett
Keiko Fukazawa uses her art to address an issue that has greatly impacted the quality of life in America: gun violence.
Dorothy Cotton
By: Dylan Winiger
Dorothy Cotton was an American civil rights activist,
Oasis: The Projection of your own Identity
By: Amiko Muscat
Jessica Recinos, a choreographer based in San Francisco is yearning to pursue her identity and culture through dance.
Sally Ride
By: Hanna
Documentary made by a 3rd grade student on why Sally Ride is her hero.
Grace Hopper
By: Audrey Eason
Trailblazing mathematician Grace Hopper is amazing example of the power you have if you put your mind to it!
Fannie Lou Hamer - A Civil Rights Unsung Hero
By: Elia Grace Defore
This documentary is about the unsung hero Fannie Lou Hamer who helped African Americans receive their right to vote.
Eva Haller: A Work in Progress
Produced by:Jeanne Meyers
A life dedicated to philanthropy, activism and mentorship, Eva Haller makes a positive impact around the world.
Media Arts Educator | Holly Carter
BYKids
Holly Carter is a leader in media arts production with youth around the world
OutSwing [Trailer]
Samar Minallah Khan
On the outskirts of Islamabad, a committed coach teaches a team of unlikely players, their families, and a community how playing Cricket can change lives.
Joan Ganz Cooney: The Unsung Hero Who Led Us All To Sesame Street
Anna Brodine | Seaman High School
Joan Ganz Cooney as producer of Sesame Street, combined education and entertainment in children’s television programming..
The Art House
Laura P. Valtorta
Ginger Westray, a retired school teacher, uses her entire house as a canvas for her painting and sculpture.
RBG [Trailer]
Betsy West & Julie Cohen
At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon.
Diet for a Small Planet 50th Anniversary Edition
Small Planet Institute
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Book Diet for a Small Planet.
Yasmine Sherif Global Educator Award Winner
Kitty Richardson
Congratulations to Yasmine Sherif, the Director of Education Cannot Wait and the winner of the 2020 Global Educator Award.
Women Transforming Media: Gabrielle Gorman
Produced by:Xenia Shin, Jeanne Meyers, et al.
Emerging filmmaker Gabrielle Gorman's poetic filmmaking confronts issues like identity, racism and self-love. We talk to the 2016 MY HERO International Film Festival Student Honoree, National Young Arts alumna in Cinematic Arts and Presidential Scholar finalist about how she wants to make art for social change.
Women Transforming Media: Alyse Nelson
Produced by:The MY HERO Project
“Power expands the moment it’s shared. And women often want to do that. When they're invested, they want to give back, they want to pay it forward. And that’s what we do at Vital Voices. We simply search the world for these leaders with a vision for extraordinary change. And we invest in them to take that vision to scale.”
Women Transforming Media: Cari Beauchamp
Produced by:Xenia Shin, Jeanne Meyers, Rita Stern Milch, et al.
Cari Beauchamp is an award-winning author, film historian and documentary filmmaker. In her book about the nearly lost history of the powerful women writers of early Hollywood, Without Lying Down, she resurrects the figure of Frances Marion, who reigned as the highest paid screenwriter or two decades. With the book nearing its 20th anniversary, we talk to Cari about how she rescued Frances Marion "from the footnotes of history."
Women Transforming Media: Abigail Disney
Produced by:Jeanne Meyers, Xenia Shin
We talk to documentary filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail Disney about why she became a documentary filmmaker, her award-winning film "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," and her organization Peace is Loud.
My Family Journey: Pathway to Empowering Hispanic Women
Angelina Pendleton-Mendez
Angelina Pendleton-Mendez interviews Maria Mendez, her paternal grandmother, about her family and their journey.
Clara Mayer: An Overlooked Pillar of the New School
Produced by:Gina Luria Walker Savanna Washington Cecilia Rubino Stefania de K...
In the second episode of Women’s Legacy, a historical feminist project, we look into the life of Clara Mayer.
Katherine Johnson: The Human Computer
Jasmine Blossom Martoglio | Batchelor Middle School
This is a documentary about Katherine Johnson and why she is an American hero.
Amelia Earhart
Annika Smith & Quinn Reynolds | Lora Batchelor Middle School
It is a documentary about Amelia Earhart and how she is a hero.
Women's History Month
By: Stew Hvidston
This short video about Women's History Month was made by My Hero intern Stew Hvidston.
On March 8, 1911, the world celebrated the first-ever International Women's Day. It was part of the women's suffrage movement, which was in full swing in European and North American countries: Women wanted to vote, and they wanted to have the same rights as men. In 1986, national Women's History Month was declared in the US.
Women's Equality Day
Kitty Richardson
A brief look at the journey towards Equity for Women and the Women's Suffragette Movement directed and narrated by MY HERO intern Kitty Richardson.
Stories
These stories highlight female heroes who took on pioneering roles in the distant and recent past. Their long-lasting contributions to America push the country forward and open doors for the women who come after.
Simone Biles: The Most Decorated Gymnast in History
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history
Tige Charity and KITS
By: Abigail Richardson
Tige Charity, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and who now resides in Los Angeles, is the founder of Kids in the Spotlight, Inc. (KITS).
Cole Brauer - An Inspiration for Women
By: Abigail Richardson
Cole Brauer is a pioneering figure in the sailing world; she has navigated uncharted waters, shattered stereotypes, and is an inspiration for women.
Medea Benjamin
By: Abigail Richardson
Geena Davis: Fighting for Equal Representation
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Geena Davis, the Academy Award winning actor and activist fighting for equal representation in media.
Angela Duckworth
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about American psychologist and author, Angela Duckworth.
Murrawah Maroochy Johnson
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Murrawah Maroochy Johnson, one of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winners.
Susan Faludi: Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about feminist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Susan Faludi.
Julia Mintz: Director of 'Four Winters'
By: Naomi Gledhill
Julia Mintz is a writer, producer and director of a feature documentary on the Jewish Resistance movement during WWII, "Four Winters."
Nelly Cheboi: CNN’s Hero of the Year 2022
By: Naomi Gledhill
Maria Toorpakai Wazir: Empowering Women Through Sport
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a professional squash player who had to overcome incredible challenges in order to achieve her dreams. She now paves the way for others to do the same.
Sheryl Sandberg: Tech Exec, Author, and Women's Rights Advocate
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about technology executive, author, and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg.
Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias
By: Naomi Gledhill
Memory Banda: A Voice for Girls’ Rights and the Fight Against Child Marriage
By: Abigail Richardson
Memory Banda, a renowned activist from Malawi, has become a powerful advocate for girls' rights.
Cari Beauchamp
By: Xenia Shin
Cari Beauchamp's book and documentary, Without Lying Down, excavates the nearly lost history of women in early Hollywood--and connects us to inspiring figures like Frances Marion.
Janet Yang
By: Abigail Richardson
A celebrated American film producer whose career spans decades and has had a significant impact on Hollywood and beyond.
Dr. Jessica Wade: Pioneering British Physicist and STEM Advocate
By: Abigail Richardson
Dr. Jess Wade is a British physicist and activist known for her work in organic electronics and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in science.
Amal Clooney
By: Abigail Richardson
Amal Clooney is co-founder, along with her husband George, of the Clooney Foundation for Justice.
Alyssa Carson: A Future in Mars
By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Geeta Mehta
By: Abigail Richardson
Geeta Mehta is an Indian-American social entrepreneur, urban designer, architect, and author.
Helen Greiner: Roboticist and Co-Founder of iRobot
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about roboticist and co-founder of iRobot, Helen Greiner.
Lekha Singh
By: Abigail Richardson
Lekha Singh is a fine art photographer, filmmaker, and activist.
Dolly Parton: A Life of Giving Back
By: Abigail Richardson
Parton has dedicated significant time and resources to philanthropy, supporting causes related to education, healthcare and community well-being.
Cheri Gaulke
By: Joy Wolf
As an educator, Cheri Gaulke has mentored youth throughout Southern California, and as Artistic Director of The Righteous Conversations Project she has empowered teens to use media to speak out about injustices across the globe
Cole Brauer - An Inspiration for Women
By: Abigail Richardson
Cole Brauer is a pioneering figure in the sailing world; she has navigated uncharted waters, shattered stereotypes, and is an inspiration for women.
Kamala Harris
By: Arya K
Famous for being the first South-Asian and second African American California senator, Kamala Harris is known for being unwavering in the face of opposition.
My Hero Awards Holly Carter 2021 Global Media Educator
By: Abigail Richardson
Michelle Obama
By: Princess Quinones
Michelle Obama has recently made history as the first African American to become the First Lady of the United States.
MY HERO Global Educator Award Winner Melinda Gates
By: Betty Bailey
Melinda Gates' women heroes in Africa and India teach her how to uplift the women in their communities through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Frances Moore Lappé’s Diet for a Small Planet Celebrates 50th Anniversary
By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO Staff writer
Frances Moore Lappé’s Diet for a Small Planet Celebrates 50th Anniversary with new edition.
Sahraa Karimi
By: Deborah Neff
Afghan filmmaker Sahraa Karimi speaks out about the future of Afghan cinema and the rights of girls and women as the Taliban takes over the country in August 2021.
Samar Minallah Khan
By: Abigail Richardson
Samar is a filmmaker, anthropologist and activist. In the media, she has been referred to as ‘The Savior of Souls,’ one of the ‘Women who rock the world,’ ‘The Crusader with the Camera’ and the ‘Women that changed Pakistan.’
Doris Kearns Goodwin
By: Deborah Neff MY HERO Staff writer
Laura P. Valtorta
By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO Staff writer
The Art House is about Ginger Westray's house, painted in copper colors from head to foot.
Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, Hero and ‘Mother of Afghan Education’
By: Abigail Richardson
Katherine Johnson
By: Ridhima Inukurti
Dorothy Vaughan
By: Brittny Barcenas
Dorothy Vaughan was the first African American woman to supervise the West Area Computers, "human computers" at NASA (originally NACA) during the Space Race.
Harriet Tubman
By: Cara McPhie
Harriet Tubman was a slave known for creating the "Underground Railroad" network, leading 300 slaves, including herself, to freedom.
Pashtana Durrani
By: Deborah Neff
Pashtana Durrani, who received the Malala Fund Education Champion award for her work on behalf of education for Afghan girls, is determined to continue providing educational opportunities for women and girls, even if she has to resist the Taliban and go underground.
Clara Mayer: An Overlooked Pillar of the New School
By: Abigail Richardson
Elizabeth Blackwell
By: Victoria Davis
Hero Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to receive a degree as a doctor, and started a women's medical college for women.
Abigail Adams
By: Nashua Haque
First Lady Abigail Adams effectively led the country while President John Adams was an envoy in France, through detailed letters between the two and her own business savvy.
Elizebeth Friedman
By: Sean Tran
Elizebeth Friedman is known as "America's first female cryptanalyist" for her work deciphering codes between Nazi forces during WWII.
Listen & Read Along
The following stories have a link so you can hear the audio as you read. Great for ESL students, visually impaired or blind students.
Dorothy Height
By: Yajahira from Las Vegas
Height was a civil rights/women's rights activist and an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
Katherine Johnson
By: Kyra from Ankara, Turkey
Her story was hidden for decades: Katherine Johnson plotted multiple flight courses for NASA, including the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the first spaceship to reach the moon.
UNLADYLIKE2020 SERIES
UNLADYLIKE2020: Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman wanted to become an aviator. Rejected from every U.S. aviation school for being a woman and black, she refused to take no for an answer.
UNLADYLIKE2020: Margaret Chung
Margaret Chung aka "Mike" aka "Mom Chung of the Fair Haired Bastards," was the only woman in her med school class. She advanced women's ability to serve in the armed forces.
UNLADYLIKE2020: Ynes Mexia
A late bloomer, botanist Ynes Mexia enrolled in college at the age of 51. She led expeditions, including in the Amazon rainforest, discovering 500 new species of plants.
UNLADYLIKE2020 SERIES | Director’s Statement | Women’s History “Continues to Resonate and Shape American Lives Today.”
UNLADYLIKE2020 series was selected as the winner of the 2020 Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award, offered each year as part of the MY HERO International Film Festival to recognize outstanding documentary shorts featuring women.
UNLADYLIKE2020 Directors Accept 2020 Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award
Produced by:Charlotte Rangin, Sandra Rattley
Directors Charlotte Rangin and Sandra Rattley accept the Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award for their series UNLADYLIKE2020 at the 16th annual MY HERO International Film Festival. Remarks by MY HERO director Jeanne Meyers, sponsor Eva Haller, MY HERO Film Festival director Wendy Milette.
For Younger Readers, by Younger Readers
Sally Ride
By: Georgia Rowan
"Sally Ride is considered a hero because she has done amazing things, like when she went on the STS-7 mission in 1983."
Susan B. Anthony
By: Libby Huxley
An elementary student talks about her hero, women's suffragist Susan B. Anthony.
Art
First Lady Michelle Obama
By: Amy Sherald
Painted by Amy Sherald, this portrait of the first African-American First Lady Michelle Obama has been exhibited at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery since 2018.
Harriet Tubman
By: William H. Johnson
This portrait of abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman was painted by William H. Johnson in 1945.
Untitled
By: Clementine Hunter
Artwork by artist Clementine Hunter, 1981.
Bessie Coleman
By: Marilyn Huerta
Marilyn Huerta's portrait of Bessie Coleman, who grew up during the time of segregation and was the first black woman to fly around the world.
Celebrate Women's History Month with Additional Artwork. Click on the banner below.
Portraits of Women: Women's History
Credit: MY HERO
Related Pages
Women's Equality Day
By: Becky Miller
Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug and first established in 1971, the date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920.
Zora Neale Hurston
Credit: Harper Collins Publisher
Eva Haller Salon Series
By: Kitty Richardson
Eva's Salons bring together artists, scientists and media makers from around the globe. Eva is a 91 year old activist, philanthropist holocaust survivor.
The Eva Haller Salon's take place virtually every Saturday at 2:00 PM PST. To request an invitation to attend the Salon Series please email [email protected]
2020 Eva Haller Women Transforming Media Award Winners
By: Xenia Shin
The Eva Haller WTM Award recognizes films telling women's stories. Watch the full-length winning film and excerpts from the awards ceremony .
