Nine PBS Celebrates Women’s History Month

Published on February 8, 2025 • Last modified on March 18, 2025

In March, Nine PBS celebrates women! We honor their accomplishments and achievements, and we commemorate the changes they’ve made in our world.

While we celebrate women around the world - we pay special attention to women trailblazers from St. Louis - like Annie Malone, Anne Keefe, Josephine Baker, and more! Here are just some of the amazing women who have made a difference in our city, from our Living St. Louis archives.

Susan Blow
In the late 1800s, Susan Blow implemented some of the first kindergartens in the United States. After traveling to Germany and observing their system for early childhood education, she brought the "kindergarten" concept to local schools.

Annie Malone
Annie Malone was a self-made millionaire. She started a cosmetic manufacturing business, focusing on Black hair products, and she began Poro Beauty College. This famous Black St. Louisan was also a philanthropist. The St. Louis Colored Orphans Home was renamed in her honor.

Katherine Dunham
Katherine Dunham was known as a trailblazer in dance. She mixed African and Caribbean styles of dance to create moves that were all her own. Her life, artistic career and influence on the people of East St. Louis was great. This profile contains what is believed to have been her last interview, at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in October 2005.

Celebrate Women’s History Month: What to Stream

More programs are available in Women’s History Month collection on the PBS app. New programs appear on the app after broadcast on Nine PBS.

Jacqueline DuPré: Genius and Tragedy
Introduced and narrated by grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma, "Jacqueline du Pré: Genius and Tragedy," tells the story Jacqueline du Pré and her enigmatic genius, one of the greatest cellists of all time.

The film premieres on March 28, but Passport members can stream it now.

American Masters: Roberta Flack
Follow music icon Roberta Flack from a piano lounge through her rise to stardom. From “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly,” Flack’s virtuosity was inseparable from her commitment to civil rights. Detailing her story in her own words, the film features exclusive access to Flack’s archives and interviews with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Peabo Bryson and more.

How It Feels To Be Free
A documentary that tells the inspiring story of how six iconic African American women entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier – challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.

Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands
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.

American Experience

Part 1 | The Vote | American Experience

1:52:53

Published:

Expires: 2023-07-06

Rating: TV-PG

The fiery campaign that led to passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the vote.

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